Computer Hardware Terms, Glossary and Dictionary

Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) emission is radiation emitted by a computer monitor and other common electrical appliances. ELF emissions fall into the range of 5 to 2000 hertz and decline with the square of the distance from the source. Emissions are not constant around a monitor; they are higher from the sides and rear and weakest from the front of the screen. Low-emission models are available, and laptop computers with an LCD display do not emit any ELF fields. There is considerable debate about whether ELF emissions from computer monitors pose a threat. Some European countries have adopted regulations controlling the amount of allowable emission. The most well-know regulation is Sweden's MPR II standard. You can play it safe by buying MPR II-compliant monitors.

Related Terms

ELF emission