Instructions: Stetzerizer Microsurge Meter

The meter as stated is designed to provide a reading of the undesirable Power Line EMF (Electro Magnetic, High Frequency) Radiation Levels.

When cleaning up or measuring an environment, you want to end up at a 25 or less reading if possible. See the back of the meter for the scale used in reading, including "Reading (GS)", "Condition" and "Recommendation" at various levels.

A Reading such as this or less is Good

A Reading above this, problems start to occur.

A Reading such as this is Undesirable and Filters should be added.

If there is a reading on the meter and a filter is plugged in, the number almost always goes down. If the wire is so polluted, however, the meter may read a higher number when the filter is plugged in. Keep plugging filters in and the number will eventually come down as the pollution levels are reduced to the measurable range.

If the meter shows this reading, the pollution on the line is very bad, beyond the scale of the meter to read it. Insert filters until the reading can be made

In a typical alternating current (AC) power line, undesirable pollution often occurs. The effects of transients (electrical surges) and harmonics generated, oscillating at frequencies higher than 60 cycles per second on the power line are becoming more prevalent today. This pollution comes from non-linear loads and by way of example, can be caused by a switched power supply, motors or appliances that propagate high frequency signals unto the line. Nonlinear loads are produced by electronic devices used in computers, printers, variable speed drive motors, switching on and off, capacitors switching off lines to balance loads, trees brushing hydro lines, and faults on circuits. Harmonics are often called electrical noise and produce the humming, buzzing sound around poles and lines, and radio noise heard near electrical power lines. Transient voltages/currents are distorted, nonsinusoidal, impulses at various frequencies produced by nonlinear loads both on and off the property. These high frequency signals from harmonics and transients are radiated into your home/office environment. Professor Lloyd B. Craine, co-author of the US publication 696 (18), "Effects of Voltage/Current on Farm Animals", 1991, called the "Redbook", acknowledged, "É.When consumer equipment consisted primarily of lights, motors, and tube-type electronic equipment, and electrical loads were relatively small, neutral-to-earth voltages and transients were not great problems, due to low neutral currents and the tolerance of the equipment. With increasing use of low-signal-level solid-state computers and microprocessors, increasing electrification and automation, and increasing loads on distribution lines, the issue of power quality and tolerable neutral-to-earth voltage is increasingly important." Craine recommended, "Transient-effects research is necessary to fully evaluate power system effects on animals and people". And, "Dissemination of research results in particular case studies would be useful to inform personnel on new, different, or unusual problems of power system maintenance." In 10 years from the date of the paper, no reports of such studies had yet appeared. Now more studies are starting to appear showing the harmful effects of this electrical problem.

It is desirable to know the magnitude of this pollution to determine, for instance, how to remove it.

Microsurge Meter Operating Instructions

Microsurge meters were specifically designed as a companion to the Graham-Stetzer filters. The meters measure the level of harmful electromagnetic "energy" present, and their primary use is to guide effective filter installation. Microsurge meters are low cost, robust, and easy to use by non-technical people. The meters were designed to measure harmonics and other high frequency "energy" present, which are the frequencies most detrimental to human health. The meters effectively ignore the effects of 60 Hz power and other lower, less harmful frequencies.

Specifically, the meter measures the average magnitude of the changing voltage as a function of time (dV/dt), which naturally emphasizes the harmonics and transients and other high frequency phenomena on the power line that change rapidly with time. The measurements of dV/dt read by the meter are defined as G-S (Graham-Stetzer) units (since no standard term is available). The G-S units are a measure of "harmful energy" on your electrical system.

Instructions: Graham-Stetzer Filter Installation

Graham-Stetzer Filters are easy to install. Follow these instructions to maximize filter effectiveness. The number of filters installed at an outlet should be based on the load in that particular area. Use of the Stetzerizer Microsurge Meter can help to determine precisely how many filters are needed at any particular location. If you wish assistance in mitigating the effects of EMF's in your home, contact our Head Office. We have trained assessors who, for a small fee, can measure the readings in your home or office and provide assistance in the placement of the filters.

Using the Microsurge Meter for a Typical Home Installation

Microsurge meters measure the levels of safe, borderline, or dangerous levels of "energy" present. These levels are conveniently shown on the back of the meter for reference. These levels have been developed through research (much of it in Russia and neighboring countries) and confirmed by experience in North America. The levels have been adopted by the Sanitory Stations (Health Departments) of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Since the meters and filters were originally marketed, evidence points to a lower level of 30 on the meter being more appropriate as the safe level.

The first basic that has been found to be most effective when installing Stetzer filters in a home is at the panel box. Two phases of current are used to supply utility power to a home; A phase and B phase. If one checks the wires coming into a house, there are two wires with electricity (A phase and B phase) and a neutral wire. How they are tied into the box depends upon the type of box that has been installed. Most homes will have one electrical outlet dropped down directly from the main panel; but installing one or more filters in this outlet will take care of only one current phase. We need to have another outlet on the alternate phase. In this way, we can know how each phase is metering, how close or far apart they are in numbers. So, for maximum effectiveness, call your local electrician and have him/her drop another outlet down from the panel on the other phase, then install a filter(s) in that outlet as well. Stetzer Electric recommend one (or more) filter(s) should be installed in an outlet on each phase of current as close as possible to the main electrical panel in your home.

Having started from the point that typically has the highest readings, the power input panel, the next highest areas to mitigate are the computer and television/entertainment center locationsÑthe meter is used to measure the initial levels of G-S energy and reduction as filters are added. Once the G-S levels are acceptable at one location, the process should be repeated at the next location. After the installation of the filters is complete, a final confirmation of the G-S levels should be performed throughout the house. **Note: Many homes may not have enough open outlets to install the number of filters needed to clean up the home. The solution is to purchase several power strips, plug your electronic devices into them, and install filters in the power strips as per the instructions below.

The kitchen area is one that causes the most trouble in clearing up electrical problems. In most cases, this is due to the manner in which the kitchen is wiredÑ"kitchen splits". The tops and bottoms of receptacles are wired to different breakers, so as to avoid overloads and the tripping of breakers. This plus the potential for having both phases represented causes difficulty in mitigating high readings on the Stetzer meter. Also, the multitude of appliances found here which could have problems can make it difficult to clean up. Are there new appliances, with the "energy saver" features that can cause problems? Are cords in good condition; is maintenance on receptacles, outlets and switches done? The cord plugged into a receptacle that is loose, not making good contact, can cause different readings just wiggling the cord. Arching can be a major problem. In one home, the electrical connection in a stove for the light in the oven had problems even when it was not turned on but reacted negatively to readings every time the stove itself was used. If cords are loose in a receptacle, replace the receptacle. It has been found that the upper receptacle is used more than the lower and they wear out. This is one of the reasons people should have a meter, so as to experiment in their own home. Having a meter, one can turn things off and on, or plugging into a receptacle, discover if there is a problem with a particular receptacle - you can be continually checking for problems. In one home, a stuck septic pump caused major readings changes. In another, a bad charger for a toothbrush lead to increased readings! Think of portable phones with chargers, electric shavers with chargers, hand tools with chargers - you can see it never ends in checking to ensure your environment is safe. Check the alarm clock radios that are plugged in - are they close to the side of the bed where a person lays? Is it causing problems? We don't want to be alarmists, but this is why we want to get the readings as low as possible - to buffer the ever-changing electrical environment.

The next check after checking receptacles and the installation of filters is to look at the home for TV's, Computers (two filters on each!), Halogen lights and other Energy efficient items (one dealer found energy saving bulbs he had purchased, when used, put the readings on the meter much higher!).

These are additional points that can be examined when looking at and assessing a home for this problem. Stetzer Electric representatives have found that these checks can make the biggest impact on cleaning up the home. Regrettably we cannot rely on this problem being taken care of by others - we have to be proactive in protecting our own environment.

When these directions are followed, a sufficient number of Graham-Stetzer Filters should be installed to effectively clean up the average home. Use the Stetzerizer Microsurge Meter designed to measure the levels of electrical pollution around your home on a continuing basis to monitor the levels and maintain a safe balance.

Filters are Registered for use in Canada, ULCan #E242189

Frequently Asked Questions