Mexico. Reglamentaran el Uso de Antenas Hear No RF Evil - See No RF Evil |  |
| Mexico. Reglamentaran el Uso de Antenas Posted: 06 Sep 2012 12:42 PM PDT  La concentracion de torres y antenas incrementa los niveles de RF Las autoridades mexicanas regularán los condiciones de operación de las antenas de telecomunicaciones para que tengan niveles de radiación electromagnética inofensivos para la población, informó hoy la Comisión Federal de Telecomunicaciones (Cofetel). El organismo indicó que se inició el proceso para crear una Norma Oficial, “la cual dictará las medidas de operación para el cumplimiento de los límites de exposición máxima para seres humanos a las ondas emitidas por las antenas, y cuyo cumplimiento asegura que no existen riesgos para la salud”. Esta decisión fue adoptada debido a que se detectó que las autoridades de diversos municipios frenaban la instalación de antenas emisoras de ondas electromagnéticas utilizadas por las empresas de telecomunicaciones. La Cofetel indicó que una investigación detectó que la preocupación que genera en muchos ciudadanos la instalación de antenas y redes de telecomunicaciones, por los presuntos riesgos para la salud, frena el desarrollo de esta infraestructura y eleva los costos. El organismo indicó que la elaboración de la norma está contemplada en el Programa Nacional de Normalización 2012 y la decisión fue publicada en el Diario Oficial de la Federación el 13 de abril de este año. Numerosos estudios en el mundo han advertido sobre la posible influencia de las radiaciones electromagnéticas sobre la salud humana, en particular en muy altas frecuencias. La Cofetel indicó que la norma establecerá los límites máximos de exposición para seres humanos cercanos a emisores de ondas electromagnéticas en el entorno de radiocomunicaciones, y definirá los métodos de prueba requeridos “para la medición de dichos límites, así como los procedimientos de evaluación” del cumplimiento. “El cumplimiento de esta norma asegura que las emisiones de ondas de las antenas de telecomunicaciones no representen riesgos para la salud”, indicó el organismo. Recordó que las antenas son equipos necesarios para la provisión de los servicios de telecomunicaciones y radiodifusión, y que la creciente demanda de éstos requiere la instalación de un mayor número de equipos. La Cofetel espera que con el cumplimiento de la norma haya una menor oposición ciudadana al desarrollo de la infraestructura de telecomunicaciones, y que las autoridades municipales otorguen los permisos de manera más expedita. Indicó que la norma establecerá el límite máximo de las radicaciones electromagnéticas en hasta 300 gigahercios, especificados por la Comisión Internacional para la Protección contra Radiaciones no Ionizantes, organismo científico independiente reconocido por la Organización Mundial de la Salud. Asimismo, señaló que el documento tomó el cuenta los estudios del Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados (Cinvestav) de México. Fuentes de la Cofetel explicaron a Efe que estas antenas son sólo las usadas por las empresas dedicadas a la emisión de frecuencias entre 100 kilohercios y 300 gigahercios para telecomunicaciones, y no se refieren a ningún tipo de antena de recepción doméstica. LBA Technology es consciente de los peligros potenciales que la emision de RF puede causar a las personas y ha desarrollado un curso en línea sobre Conocimientos Basicos de Seguridad en RF a fin de que las personas que laboran en areas expuestas a RF conozcan sobre estos peligros y tomen las medidas de precaucion pertinentes. Para conocer mas acerca del curso acceda al enlace siguiente http://www.lbagroup.com/technology/espanol/entrenamiento-en-seguridad-de-rf.php. Asi mismo LBA ofrece el monitor personal de RF Field Sense Pro Hd que es una herramienta que toda persona que labora en ambientes de RF debe llevar consigo. El monitor alerta al usuario sobre los niveles de RF en el area que se encuentra a fin de que la persona tome las medidas necesarias para protegerse. Para conocer mas sobre el monitor Field Sense Pro HD pulse http://www.lbagroup.com/technology/fieldsense-personal-rf-monitor.php. Fuente: RADIOFUSIONdata The post Mexico. Reglamentaran el Uso de Antenas appeared first on LBA Blogs.    |
| RF Dryers – Finding Hazards in the Workplace Posted: 06 Sep 2012 09:10 AM PDT When Radio Frequency (RF) safety is mentioned, it is often in the context of cell phones and cell towers. However, a multitude of RF systems exist in industry, medicine, and laboratories that require an understanding and evaluation of potential radiation hazards. The workplace is subject to OSHA standards including Section 5 under the General Duty Clause which states in part employers are required to provide employees employment and a place of employment which is free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees. However, few safety plans take into account the potential of radio waves from RF generators. Many facility managers and safety directors are not even aware of machines in their workplaces that could pose risks. One of the more ubiquitous industrial radio frequency machines is the RF dryer. Often imbedded in process systems, these machines can operate at very high power levels and pose serious personnel risks. This essay seeks to introduce managers to these risks and their management. The invention of the microwave oven in 1946 started the use of RF generators in the food processing industry. Today, RF generators are utilized widely in manufacturing processes including the drying or heating of ceramic materials used for automobile components as well as sealing bags and curing foods. Other applications include the drying of textile yarns, fabrics, and garments as well as post-baking and moisture control of food products. Most of the RF generators used in drying processes are of a size comparable with a high power radio station. The generator output is connected to two electrode plates which creates an electric field inside the process or drying chamber. The material to be heated is conveyed between the electrodes, where an alternating energy field causes molecules in the material to continuously reorient similar to bar magnets moving to face opposite poles in a magnetic field. Friction resulting from this molecular movement causes the material to rapidly heat throughout its entire mass. An RF dryer offers the advantages of reduced processing times, consistent quality, and simplified process control.  RF Generators used in the drying of ceramic materials in manufacturing Typically an RF dryer which is one type of generator used in manufacturing processes operates at one of the following frequencies: 13.56 MHz, 27.12 MHz, 40.68 MHz and 2450 MHz. The output power from each of these generators can be high ranging from 5 to 150 kW. As a perspective, a typical AM radio station operates at 5 kW while and FM station radiated power is 100 kW. A comprehensive measurement survey by a competent engineer of all areas surrounding RF dryers utilized in a manufacturing process requires the use of a calibrated radiation meter and isotropic probe as well as knowledge of the behavior of electromagnetic fields including radiated power density for various objects and surfaces. LBA Group, Inc. studies and reports on a variety of industrial RF applications including RF dryers, cranes and smart meter production facilities. More information can be found at http://www.lbagroup.com/associates/industrialrfintro.php.  LBA CTO Chris Horne, PE auditing an industrial generator for hot spots Measurements should be performed around all faces of the RF dryer including the waveguide between transmitter and process chamber as well in the areas where factory employees work. Measurements should be taken as a percent of maximum permissible exposure (MPE) for the general population standard because manufacturing employees are not fully aware nor can they control RF exposure. For FCC purposes, the general population standard applies to human exposure to RF fields when the general public is exposed or in which persons who are exposed as a consequence of their employment may not be made fully aware of the potential for exposure or cannot exercise control over their exposure. Therefore, members of the general public always fall under this category when exposure is not employment-related. Although not likely to be applicable to a manufacturing environment, The FCC also have exposure limits for occupational(controlled) environments where human exposure to RF fields are for persons exposed as a consequence of their employment and have been made fully aware of the potential for exposure and can exercise control over their exposure. For a typical manufacturing environment with RF dryers, the general population standard applies where an MPE limit of 0.98 milliwatt per square centimeter (mW/cm2) is used for 13.56 MHz emissions, 0.24 mW/cm2 for the 27.12 MHz emission, 0.2 mW/cm2 for the 40.68 MHz emissions and 1 mW/cm2 for the 2450 MHz emissions as prescribed in FCC OET Bulletin-65. Some of the RF dryers used in manufacturing process can have "leaky" doors where RF radiation can escape through the door seals. Manufacturers of this equipment should be aware of the potential RF hazards and the need for adequate shielding designed into the equipment. Care must be taken to ensure no RF energy from these dryers leak. The initial approach to any RF dryer should be a cautious one where measurements are made at a relatively large distance then moving closer to the equipment while monitoring the radiation meter. Both electric and magnetic fields are a concern in RF dryers that operate in the HF band. In a recent RF survey by LBA engineers, a large manufacturing facility that supplies automobile materials, containing various RF dryers was found to be in compliance with FCC MPE levels. However, one RF dryer contained a "leaky door" and excessive power density readings were observed 3 to 6 inches from its surface. The power density levels exceeded MPE limits close to the door seal then decreased rapidly and met MPE limits at 12 inches from the surface. Damaged finger stock in the door seals can leak RF energy and persons who may accidently stand against or near the door could be exposed to excessive RF energy. Touching the door seal with exposed skin where the leak exists can be an RF shock or burn hazard.  Rear view of RF Dryer showing access doors A coordinated test and RF measurements of the generator and its leaky door were performed and planned in accordance with the manufacturing process schedule. However, if the leaky door could not have been immediately corrected, the appropriate RF signage should be installed, and workers alerted to the confined "hot spot". There are many RF processes in manufacturing, including heat sealers, RF welders, plasma systems, and many more. The hazards associated with these may not be immediately obvious. To assist safety managers, LBA offers a range of RF safety planning and program services, including site audits, industrial hazard evaluations, safety training courses, and radio frequency safety plan development. LBA's new OSHA RF Safety Awareness course is oriented to wireless industry workers. However, it is relevant to all trades and types of personnel that may encounter RF exposure in the workplace. Information on the RF safety training is at http://www.lbagroup.com/associates/rftraining.php. For assistance in RF safety matters, contact Bryan Dixon, Safety Services Director at 252-757-03279 or bryan.dixon@lbagroup.com. The post RF Dryers – Finding Hazards in the Workplace appeared first on LBA Blogs.   |
| You are subscribed to email updates from LBA Blogs To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 | |
