Ofcom EMF Calculato

Information
Title Ofcom EMF Calculator (v1.1)
Objective This is a live version of Ofcom's calculator which provides a conservative separation distance to maintain between the relevant radio
Version 1.1
Changes from previous version v1.0 Extended frequency range to include 1-10 MHz; added E- and H-field strength columns to ICNIRP Table 7 extract; removed reactive n
Status Live
Compatibility Please note: this calculator may not work on older versions of Microsoft Excel (e.g. prior to 2003) and some cosmetic features are on

Contents

Sheet Description
Contents This contents sheet
Ofcom calculator ICNIRP 1998 A calculator for calculating separation distances based on the 1998 ICNIRP Guidelines
Power calculation tool A tool that allows licensees to enter the output power (or PEP) and the antenna gain to calculate the radiated power (EIRP or ERP) of
Annex Technical notes regarding the calculator

Terms and conditions

Contents :page1 Ofcom Confidential 01/15/2024

The terms and conditions on which OFCOM is making available the Ofcom EMF Calculator are set out below.

The Ofcom EMF calculator is being provided for the sole purpose of assisting spectrum users to assess separation distances from their own radio equipment. Users should be
aware that we reserve the right to make changes to this calculator in future, including changes to how it calculates separation distances. As such, spectrum users may need to
re-assess compliance distances with subsequent versions of this calculator. Spectrum users are therefore encouraged to check the Ofcom website from time to time to see if we
have published an updated version.

All right, title and interest in the Ofcom EMF Calculator constructed in Excel are owned by Ofcom. Such title and interest is protected by United Kingdom intellectual property
laws and international treaty provisions. While you may freely use the Ofcom EMF Calculator for the purposes for which it is provided, it is not to be modified in any way or used
for commercial gain or otherwise without the prior written permission of Ofcom.

Ofcom does not accept any responsibility for any loss, disruption or damage to your data or your computer system which may occur whilst using the Ofcom EMF Calculator or
material derived from the Ofcom EMF Calculator. Ofcom does not warrant that the functions contained in the Ofcom EMF Calculator will be uninterrupted or error free. Also,
Ofcom does not warrant that defects will be corrected, or that the Ofcom EMF Calculator provided is free of viruses.

In no event will Ofcom be liable for any loss or damage including, without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damages whatsoever arising from
use or loss of use of, data or profits arising out of or in connection with the use or otherwise of the provided Ofcom EMF Calculator. By using this Ofcom EMF Calculator, you
agree to the above.

Contents :page2 Ofcom Confidential 01/15/2024

 Ofcom EMF Calculator (v1.1)

n distance to maintain between the relevant radio equipment and members of the general public.

mns to ICNIRP Table 7 extract; removed reactive near-field boundary constraint, modified reflection coefficient

prior to 2003) and some cosmetic features are only supported by a desktop version of Microsoft Excel.

in to calculate the radiated power (EIRP or ERP) of their equipment

Contents :page3 Ofcom Confidential 01/15/2024

m their own radio equipment. Users should be
distances. As such, spectrum users may need to
the Ofcom website from time to time to see if we

ected by United Kingdom intellectual property

ovided, it is not to be modified in any way or used

occur whilst using the Ofcom EMF Calculator or

ulator will be uninterrupted or error free. Also,

or any loss or damages whatsoever arising from

ator. By using this Ofcom EMF Calculator, you

Contents :page4 Ofcom Confidential 01/15/2024

Calculation of the separation distance as per reference levels in the 1998
ICNIRP Guidelines for general public exposure to EMF from 1 MHz to 300 GHz
(v1.1)
Input parameters

EIRP = 50.00 Watts

Max transmission time: My equipment transmits X minutes in any six

= 3 Minutes
minute period

Operating frequency = 50 MHz

Calculated result

Separation distance R = 1.60 m

Intermediate parameters used in calculation. For information only

Percentage of transmission time in any 6 minute period = 50.00%
Average radiated power EIRP = 25.00 Watts
Wavelength = 6.00 m
Reflection co-efficient = 0.6
Reactive near-field boundary = 0.95 m

Reference level for E-field strength (from ICNIRP 1998 Guidelines) = 28.00 V/m

Reference level for H-field strength (from ICNIRP 1998 Guidelines) = 0.07 A/m
Reference level for power density (from ICNIRP 1998 Guidelines) = 2 W/m^2
← Choose between EIRP or ERP in
cell A4. Enter the radiated power in
Watts in cell D4. Please note, EIRP
(Watts) = ERP (Watts) x 1.64

← Choose between appropriate

statements in relation to equipment
transmission time in cell A5. Enter
the maximum transmission time
either in minutes (between 0 and 6
minutes), or as a percentage
(between 0 and 100%) in cell D5
(can be ignored if you selected "My
equipment transmits all the time")

← Enter the frequency in MHz in cell

D6 (between 1 MHz and 300,000
MHz)
Radiated power calculation tool
Input parameters
← Click cell A3 to select the
relevant power unit from
Max output power/Peak envelope power in
= 6 Watts the drop-down list, then
Watts
enter the output power
value in cell C3

← Click cell A4 to select the

relevant measure of
antenna gain from the
Antenna gain dBi = 5 dBi dorp-down list, then enter
the gain value in cell C4.
Gain in dBi = gain in dBd +
2.15

Calculated result
→ Radiated power defined
Radiated power EIRP = 18.97 Watts in EIRP or ERP (Watts) is
displayed in cell C7
Note
The power calculation tool is designed to help spectrum users calculate the radiated power (EIRP or
ERP) of their equipment, which is a key input parameter for using our EMF calculator.

Manufacturers use different forms of power measurement to declare the amount of radio
frequency (RF) energy supplied to the antenna by the transmitter, such as maximum output
power or peak envelope power (PEP). The radiated power (EIRP or ERP) is the product of the
power supplied to the antenna (max output power or PEP) and the antenna gain (dBi or dBd).
Note that gain in dBi = gain in dBd + 2.15.
ated power (EIRP or
ator.

amount of radio
maximum output
the product of the
na gain (dBi or dBd).
Annex: Technical notes (V1.1)
Performing the calculation requires the following input parameters to be entered in the relevant fields:
transmitter power EIRP in Watts
operating frequency from 1 to 300,000 MHz.

The base formula used by the calculator is:

𝑆= 〖 (1+|Γ|) 〗 ^2 𝑃_𝑡/(4𝜋𝑅^2 )

where 𝑆 is the power density in 𝑊/𝑚^2, 𝑃_𝑡 is transmitter power specified in EIRP Watts, 𝑅 is the radius in
metres measured from the centre of the antenna, and |Γ| is the reflection coefficient. The base formula can
be found in recognised international standards, e.g. in section B.4.2.1.1.2 of BS EN 62232:2017 or in section
9.1.2 of ITU-T Rec. K.52 (01/2018).

Given the reference levels for power density 𝑆_𝑟 in the table on the right, the separation distance 𝑅 for
radio equipment operating from 1 MHz to 300 GHz is calculated as follows:

𝑅= √((𝑃_𝑡 〖 (1+|Γ|) 〗 ^2)/(4𝜋𝑆_𝑟 ))

In our calculator, a reflection coefficient of |Γ| =0.6 (which is widely used and referred to in standards such
as BS EN 62232:2017) is used for frequencies above 12 MHz to represent typical ground reflection
conditions. Below 12 MHz, a conservative reflection coefficient of |Γ| 1.0 is used.
Limitations of the calculator:
The calculator in its current form has the following limitations:
Only the reference levels for power density “S” are used to determine the compliance distance. In the far-
field, the electric field strength “E”, the magnetic field strength “H” and “S” have a fixed relationship, i.e. E/H
≈ 377 ohms (the impedance of free space) and S = E x H. In the radiative near-field , the relationship
between “E” and “H” is not strictly fixed but remains a reasonable approximation. This tool is not suitable
for calculations in the reactive near field where more sophisticated tools would be required.
As a conservative tool, the calculator does not take into account of the antenna characteristics or site
geometry.
The calculator will produce very conservative results if used to assess multiple transmitters in the way
described in 'Instructions for use' (in the calculator tab). If the spectrum user cannot comply using this
approach, we would suggest using alternative methods, e.g. using dedicated tools designed to handle
multiple transmitters, carrying out measurements, etc.
Using the calculator for surfaces with a high reflection coefficient (e.g. sea water, metal surfaces) may result
in an underestimate of the compliance distance. Again, more advanced tools may be needed to obtain
accurate results in such a scenario.
e relevant fields: Reference levels for general public exposure to time-varying electric and
magnetic fields*
Frequency Min Max E-field H-field Power
range index frequency frequency strength strength density
MHz MHz V/m A/m W/m^2

tts, 𝑅 is the radius in 0 1 10 87/f½ 0.73/f -

The base formula can 1 10 400 28 0.073 2
32:2017 or in section
2 400 2000 1.375f½ 0.0037f½ f/200
3 2000 300000 61 0.16 10
n distance 𝑅 for
*Extract from Table 7 of the ICNIRP 1998 Guidelines available at
https://www.icnirp.org/cms/upload/publications/ICNIRPemfgdl.pdf
Note: depending on the input frequency f in MHz, the relevant row in the table
will be highlighted.

to in standards such
d reflection

distance. In the far-

d relationship, i.e. E/H
e relationship
tool is not suitable
uired.
teristics or site

tters in the way

omply using this
gned to handle

surfaces) may result

eeded to obtain