What Are Electromagnetic Waves?

When a flow of electrical energy occurs in one of the ways listed below, some of the energy is converted to electrical and magnetic fields that are transmitted through the air in the form of electromagnetic waves:

Low-frequency electromagnetic fields, such as house current at 60 Hz, are attenuated very rapidly in air and require very high voltage and current levels to impact surrounding equipment (such as high-current transmission lines). High-frequency electromagnetic fields, such as radio and television carrier frequencies, travel much longer distances in the air and require less energy to impact surrounding equipment.

These electromagnetic waves are absorbed in surrounding conductors that are sometimes many miles away.

If the energy flow is controlled, it can be used as information transmission from place to place (for example, radios). If the release is uncontrolled, the emissions can interfere with the controlled transmission of information and the operation of electrical equipment near the uncontrolled release.

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