Helmholtz Coils

Helmholtz Coils

A simple design for a pair of one-meter coils consists of ten turns each of #10 AWG copper wire housed in wooden boxes. Combined coil resistance is 1Ω.

Per IEC 61000-4-8 Power Frequency Magnetic Field Immunity Testing;

H=1.22 (N/D) * I A/m
For the GME coils; H=12.2 * I A/m,
When the coils are connected to the power resistor, the system impedance is 4 Ω

Magnetic Field (A/m)Coil Current (I)Coil Voltage (V)
30.251
100.83.3
302.510
1008.233
Diagram of Helmholtz Coils

The Helmholtz coils can also be used for magnetic field immunity testing from 30 Hz to 150 kHz. (Dotted Lines)

A signal generator is connected to a power amplifier, and the output of the amplifier is connected to the coils.

A spectrum analyzer is connected to a loop antenna that is placed in the coils. The signal generator is swept over the frequency range and the field is verified on the spectrum analyzer display.

Reference: MIL-STD-461 RS101