Alternating Electric Fields (Low Frequency)
These are caused by electrical voltage in cables and devices that are connected to the power supply—even when they’re turned off like wall sockets and switched-off appliances.ELECTRO SMOG
Electrosmog, or E-smog, is the invisible cloud of electric, magnetic, and electromagnetic fields surrounding us. We can’t see it, but it’s everywhere—quietly shaping our environment.
Our homes, offices, and cities hum with technology: wiring in the walls, Wi-Fi signals in the air, appliances, computers, and countless other devices all releasing electromagnetic fields.
Research reveals that these fields influence our bodies far more deeply than once believed. And as modern life demands constant connection, our daily exposure continues to rise.
To understand these fields better, we can group them based on how they’re created and how they behave.
- Electric fields (E-fields) arise from electric charges or voltage differences. Any device carrying a voltage—even if no current flows—can produce an electric field. For example, a powered-on device plugged into the wall creates an electric field whether or not it’s drawing current.
- Magnetic fields (B-fields) arise from the movement of electric charges (i.e., electric current). So, a current must be flowing for a magnetic field to form.
How They Work Together
- A changing E-field generates a B-field, and
- A changing B-field generates an E-field.
This interplay is the basis for electromagnetic waves like light, radio waves, and Wi-Fi signals. There are five different categories -
- Alternating Magnetic Fields (Low Frequency)These fields arise when electrical current flows through active devices, cables, transformers, or power supplies.
- Electromagnetic Waves (High Frequency)Emitted by wireless transmitters from mobile phones, Wi-Fi routers, Bluetooth devices, TVs, radios, radar systems, and some household and office appliances (e.g. microwaves and gaming consoles).
- DC Electric Fields (Electrostatics)These static electric fields are often found near electronic screens, synthetic fabrics (like carpets and curtains), and plastic surfaces or laminates.
- DC Magnetic Fields (Magnetostatics)Generated by direct current (DC) systems, such as trams, railways, solar panel installations, and magnetic materials.
Electrosmog Made Visible
You're looking at Richard Box’s installation titled FIELD, created in 2004 while he was Artist-in-Residence at the University of Bristol’s Physics Department. This striking piece involved planting 1,301 fluorescent tubes across a 3,600 m² field directly beneath high-voltage AC transmission lines. The tubes—sourced from hospitals—lit up without any wiring or solar power, drawing energy solely from the ambient electromagnetic field generated by the overhead cables.
The phenomenon arises because the 400 kV power lines create a strong alternating electric (and magnetic) field between the lines and the grounded earth. When the fluorescent tubes stand close enough—within the electric field—they ionize the low-pressure mercury vapor inside, producing ultraviolet radiation that excites the phosphor coating, causing them to glow visibly, albeit more dimly than if directly powered. Electrosmog made visible!
Why FIELD Is So Fascinating
Most discussions about electromagnetic fields involve numbers, measurements and technical terminology. Richard Box's FIELD achieved something much more powerful: it allowed people to see an invisible phenomenon with their own eyes.
Standing beneath the transmission lines, visitors could observe hundreds of fluorescent tubes glowing without wires or batteries. The installation transformed a normally abstract concept into a physical experience.
The artwork demonstrated that the space surrounding electrical infrastructure is not empty. It contains electric and magnetic fields generated by the transmission of energy across the grid.
By revealing those fields through light, Box created a bridge between art, physics and public understanding of science.
The Difference Between Power Lines and Wi-Fi
One of the most interesting aspects of FIELD is how it changes the way we think about electromagnetic fields.
High-voltage transmission lines produce extremely low frequency (ELF) electric and magnetic fields operating at 50 Hz. Directly beneath major transmission lines these fields can be relatively strong compared with those found in everyday environments.
Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and mobile communications also rely on electromagnetic fields, but they operate at much higher frequencies and typically much lower power levels.
Although the technologies are very different, both remind us that modern life depends on invisible electromagnetic processes.
Most people are aware of pylons because they can see them. Far fewer people consider the wireless networks, radio transmissions and digital communications that constantly surround us.
Richard Box's installation encourages us to think about both.
Our Invisible Environment
Electricity, wireless communication, satellite navigation, broadcasting and countless modern technologies all depend upon electromagnetic phenomena.
For most of human history these forces were completely unknown. Today they form an essential part of daily life, yet they remain largely invisible.
Whether viewed through the lens of engineering, environmental awareness, physics or art, FIELD reminds us that the world around us contains far more than we can directly perceive.
The installation remains one of the most striking visual demonstrations of the hidden electromagnetic environment that surrounds modern society.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Electrosmog, EMFs and Richard Box's FIELD
What is electrosmog?
Electrosmog is a term used to describe the collection of man-made electromagnetic fields (EMFs) generated by modern technology. Sources of electrosmog include electricity transmission lines, household wiring, electrical appliances, Wi-Fi routers, mobile phone networks, Bluetooth devices and wireless communications systems.
How did Richard Box's FIELD installation work?
Richard Box's FIELD installation used 1,301 fluorescent tubes placed beneath 400 kV high-voltage power lines. The tubes were not connected to a power source. Instead, the strong alternating electric field created by the transmission lines induced enough voltage within the tubes to ionise the mercury vapour inside, causing them to glow.
Why did the fluorescent tubes light up without wires?
Fluorescent tubes contain low-pressure mercury vapour and a phosphor coating. When exposed to a sufficiently strong electric field, the gas inside the tube becomes ionised, producing ultraviolet light that excites the phosphor coating and creates visible light. In the case of FIELD, the energy came from the electric field surrounding the overhead transmission lines.
What are electromagnetic fields (EMFs)?
Electromagnetic fields are areas of energy created by electrically charged objects and electrical systems. They occur naturally in the environment and are also produced by modern technologies including power lines, electrical equipment, telecommunications systems and wireless networks.
Are power line EMFs the same as Wi-Fi signals?
No. High-voltage power lines generate Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) electromagnetic fields, typically operating at 50 Hz in the UK. Wi-Fi systems operate at much higher radio frequencies, commonly 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz and 6 GHz. While both involve electromagnetic energy, they differ significantly in frequency, behaviour and typical field strength.
Why is Richard Box's FIELD important?
The installation is widely regarded as one of the most powerful visual demonstrations of electromagnetic fields ever created. By making an invisible electric field visible, Richard Box helped bridge the gap between art, engineering and physics while encouraging public discussion about electricity transmission, electromagnetic fields and the hidden infrastructure that powers modern life.
Can electromagnetic fields be seen?
Most electromagnetic fields are invisible to the human eye. Richard Box's FIELD is notable because it used fluorescent tubes to create a visible representation of an otherwise invisible electric field generated by high-voltage transmission lines.
What is the difference between natural and man-made electromagnetic fields?
Natural electromagnetic fields are generated by sources such as the Earth's magnetic field, solar radiation and lightning. They are analogue and we have evolved for millennia in harmony with them. Man-made electromagnetic fields are produced by technologies including electrical grids, power lines, radio transmitters, mobile phones, Wi-Fi routers and other electronic devices. They are DIGITAL and are foreign to the natural world and human beings.