Key result
Magnetic field exposure of >600 µT and >1000 µT from a 400 kV substation shunt reactor did not disturb any of the 5 tested cardiac pacemakers in a human-shaped phantom.
Why the study?
Does magnetic field exposure from a 400 kV substation shunt reactor disturb cardiac pacemakers?
Does magnetic field exposure from a 400 kV substation shunt reactor disturb cardiac pacemakers?
Magnetic field exposure up to 1000 µT from a 400 kV substation shunt reactor did not cause disturbances in the tested cardiac pacemakers, suggesting a low risk of interference.
Phantom testing indicates no interference; leaves open real-world pacemaker safety near substations.
The use of cardiac pacemakers (PMs) increases in Western countries. The aim of the study is to investigate cardiac pacemakers (PMs) using a human-shaped phantom in magnetic fields of a shunt reactor at a 400 kV substation. We performed seven PM experiments using a phantom. Two locations close to the shunt reactors were chosen. The magnetic field exposure was over 1000 µT in one location and over 600 µT in the other one. The magnetic field exposure did not disturb the tested five different PMs (in unipolar or bipolar configurations). It can be stated that in our experiment, the magnetic field exposure (over 600 µT and over 1000 µT) did not disturb the PMs (in unipolar or bipolar configurations). Since we only studied some PMs, it is possible that the magnetic field exposure at 400 kV substations can cause disturbances to other PMs. However, the risk of disturbances does not seem to be high.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Korpinen et al. (2015) studied Cardiac pacemakers. Magnetic field exposure from a 400 kV substation shunt reactor was evaluated on Pacemaker disturbance. Magnetic field exposure of >600 µT and >1000 µT from a 400 kV substation shunt reactor did not disturb any of the 5 tested cardiac pacemakers in a human-shaped phantom.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: