Trifield TF2 EMF Meter
The Definitive Review

The Trifield TF2 is an a very solid introductory/beginner meter for the measurement of commonly found EMFs.

It’s accuracy isn’t on par with professional meters, but it does a good job of measuring AC Magnetic Fields and is effective in helping pinpoint Electric Fields and Radio Frequency Fields.

This is a decent overall, entry-level EMF meter at a reasonable price and we recommend this meter to anyone that wants to get a general sense of their electromagnetic field exposure.

If you’d like to purchase the meter, click on the link below:⁰¹

The Trifield TF2 is the successor to the bestselling TF1 meter. As mentioned above, it has the ability to measure three types of EMFs: AC magnetic fields, AC electric fields and radio frequency fields.

This is a jack-of-all trades meter, with good ease of use, that is small and light enough to take with you on vacation to determine your EMF exposure in your hotel or bed and breakfast.

It does all this while coming in at an extremely reasonable price point.

The Trifield TF2 can measure the following EMFs:

AC Magnetic Fields

Frequency Range – 40 Hz – 100 kHz
Accuracy – ±4% @ 50/60 Hz
Maximum Range – 100 milligauss
Sensitiviy – .1 milligauss
Axis – 3-axis

The TF2 is a 3-axis gaussmeter, which conveniently allows you to take comprehensive readings from any angle. A professional meter, like the Gigahertz NFA1000 will provide sensitivity of .01 mG.

Measuring AC magnetic fields is the strong suit of the Trifield TF2 and can give you a good sense of your exposure from typical sources, such as overhead powerlines and appliances.

AC Electric Fields

Frequency Range – 40 Hz – 100 kHz
Accuracy – ±5% @ 50/60 Hz
Maximum Range – 1000 V/m
Sensitivity – 1 V/m
Axis – 1-axis

The 1-axis necessitates placing the meter in different configurations to ascertain the true ac electric exposure. More professional meters have increased sensitivity and measure in three axes which adds convenience.

The Trifield TF2 will give you a good sense of your AC electric field exposure, but you’ll want a professional meter or EMF specialist to verify the effectiveness of your mitigation attempts, especially in sleeping areas.

Radio Frequency Fields

Frequency Range – 20 MHz – 6 GHz
Accuracy – ±20% @ 1 GHz
Maximum Range – 19.999 mW/m²
Sensitiviy – 0.001 mW/m²
Axis – 1-axis

As with the electric field setting, he 1-axis necessitates moving the meter around in a figure eight motion to gather the exposure information you need.

If used solely in the detection of RF sources, the TF2 will likely be sufficient for most of your uses. Detection of hidden RF cameras in your hotel or vacation rental, for example.

While the RF field sensitivity is decent, it may not be sufficient in assessing mitigation efforts for sleeping areas or highly frequented areas of the home. You’ll want to use a more sensitive meter or contact an EMF specialist to ensure the levels are where they need to be.

Additionally, the frequency range will cover a good chunk of the RF spectrum, but will not cover the high radar frequency band if you happen to need to test for that (8.5-9.5 GHz). Most EMF specialists will have meters to cover that higher RF range.

AC Magnetic Field sources that will be detectable with the TF2:

• Overhead alternating current (AC) power lines and transformers.
• Current on the plumbing pipes or other utility connections.
• Refrigerators, stoves, ovens and other appliances.
• Electrical wiring errors and circuit boxes.
• Any devices with motors.

AC Electric Field sources that will be detectable with the Trifield TF2:

• Energized circuits within walls
• Ungrounded laptops and other electronics and tech devices
• Extension cords
• Ungrounded lamps

Radio Frequency Field sources that will be detectable with the TF2:

• Cell phone towers
• Cell phones
• WiFi routers
• WiFi devices, such as tablets, laptops, smart TVs or entertainment boxes.
• Microwave oven leaks
• Smart meters

It’s a meter that does all three of these EMF measurements pretty well.

Please visit our chapters on AC magnetic fields, AC electric fields and radio frequency fields to learn more about these EMFs.⁰²

Here are some additional features straight from the Trifield TF2 owner’s manual.⁰³

• Special frequency weighting mode for measuring electric current from EMF in the human body
• AC magnetic measurements are 3-axis, allowing for quick readings, regardless of meter orientation
• Large liquid-crystal display (LCD) for crystal clear, accurate readings
• Adjustable backlight for use in low-light environments
• Audio Indicator emits sound that helps to pinpoint EMF sources
• Peak Hold captures fast pulses, for measuring fast digital signals
• Operates for more than 20 hours on a 9V battery, with a low battery indicator

Pros

Reasonably accuracy in measuring AC Magnetic Fields and good for pinpointing sources of AC Electric Fields and Radio Frequency Fields.

Nice display that’s easy to read, including a portion of the screen for battery life.

Ease of use has greatly improved over the previous model.

The Peak Hold function is a great addition to the new model.

The gaussmeter (what detects AC magnetic fields) has really decent accuracy when compared to professional meters.

Cons

The meter only has 1-axis for the AC electric field measurements.

Accessing the audio features by having to remove the battery cover is inconvenient.

AC electric field and radio frequency field functions are good for pinpointing sources, but are lacking in accuracy to assure mitigation efforts in important areas such as sleeping areas are done to desired levels.

We’ll have our video review of the Trifield TF2 up shortly, but for now enjoy these two videos from Patrick van der Burght⁰⁵and Lloyd Burrell.⁰⁶

We’ll be posting some videos shortly where we compare the AC magnetic field readings, the AC electric field readings and the radio frequency readings to another well reviewed entry level meter, the Cornet ED88T and the latest Meterk EMF meter.

This will give you a good idea of the accuracy of the Trifield TF2 and the Cornet ED88t and help you make a decision on which would be more appropriate for your situation.

Coming soon.⁰⁷

For now, the Patrick van der Burght video above does a good job of comparing the readings of the Trifield TF2 versus several different meters.

We’ll be posting some videos shortly where we compare the AC magnetic field readings and the AC electric field readings of the Trifield TF2 versus a professional EMF meter such as the NFA1000 by Gigahertz Solutions.⁰⁸

We’ll also compare the accuracy of its radio frequency readings versus a professional meter such as the HF59B or the HF59D from Gigahertz Solutions.

This will give you a good idea of the accuracy of the Trifield TF2 and help you understand its limitations in the field.

Coming soon.

The Trifield TF2 is intuitive to use, but it’s important that you hold the meter correctly, so that you don’t cover up the sensors and distort the field readings, especially for the AC electric fields and the radio frequency field sensors.

Below is a diagram of what the TF2 screen is showing you on its screen. In this instance the meter would be set to read AC magnetic fields.

To read more about the ins and outs of the Trifield TF2, you can download a PDF of the instruction manual in the chapter notes.⁰³

Here’s what the Trifield TF2 manual says about how to measure AC Magnetic Fields:⁰³

To measure the 60 Hz-equivalent effect of an AC magnetic feld on the human body, turn the knob to the Weighted MAG setting and hold the meter at whatever location you want to measure. For standard technical AC magnetic field measurement, turn the knob to the Standard MAG setting.

 

The orientation of the meter does not matter while in the magnetic modes, because all 3 axes are combined. Your body and hand do not shield the magnetic field and do not interfere with the measurement.

 

The AC Magnetic Mode uses three ferrite-core coils, pointing in the X, Y, and Z directions, located near the top of the meter. The X, Y and Z signals are combined into a true magnitude of the field strength, independent of which direction the meter is pointed. Maximum range is 100.0 mG, with resolution of 0.1 mG, and accuracy of ±4% of reading at 50 Hz and 60 Hz. A frequency response graph of Standard and Weighted modes is on page 7.

 

In most homes or offices, some areas are “hot” spots with high readings. Most often, this is caused by magnetic fields, which come largely from unpaired internal wiring. Contrary to popular belief, power transmission lines and transformers do not generally contribute as much magnetic field indoors as does internal wiring. This is because high voltage lines carry relatively low current, and transformers are shielded. Other magnetic sources include video displays, fluorescent lights, light dimmers, transformers that are inside consumer devices, electric blankets, heaters, and anything with a motor. Much of the total field strength is from frequencies that are harmonics or multiples of 60 Hz (120 Hz, 180 Hz, etc.). Cars (especially near the front floorboard) and motorcycles have fairly strong felds at frequencies higher than 60 Hz.

Here’s what we would add:

We would just highlight that, when measuring AC magnetic fields with a 3-axis meter like this, you can walk around and take measurements without worrying about missing or blocking the field and getting an incomplete measurement.

Here’s what the Trifield TF2 manual says about how to measure AC Electric Fields:⁰³

To measure the effect of an AC electric field on the human body, turn the knob to the Weighted ELEC setting and hold the meter at the location to be measured. For standard technical AC electric feld measurement, turn the knob to the Standard ELEC setting.

 

Your body can easily shield electric fields; the reading is lower if you cover the top surface of the meter with your hand. Also, the presence of your hand at the back of the meter compresses the electric field, making it read somewhat higher than if the meter were suspended from a string or held on a board, away from you. In either case, the true electric feld near the meter will be displayed.

 

The AC Electric Mode uses a metal plate sensor under the top of the meter. Circuitry similar to the magnetic section converts the signals into an electric field strength. Maximum range is 1000 V/m with resolution of 1 V/m and accuracy of ±5% of reading at 50 Hz and 60 Hz. A frequency response graph of Standard and Weighted modes is on page 7.

 

A few areas in most homes read high on the electric field setting. These include areas near improperly grounded equipment, the front of video displays, and fluorescent lights.

Here’s what we would add:

With it being a 1-axis meter, there are limitations on both the weighted and standard readings. For somewhat accurate readings we would recommend setting the meter down and stepping away as far as you can while still being able to read it. You’ll then need to repeat this so that you have the X, Y, and Z axes taken into consideration.

The weighted readings for body voltage are likely to just give you a ballpark reading. For precisely accurate body voltage readings, we would recommend purchasing a body voltage meter kit. Click on the link to learn more.

Here’s what the Trifield TF2 manual says about how to measure Radio Frequency Fields:⁰³

To measure an RF field, turn the knob to the RF setting and point the top of the meter at the potential source, or simply hold the meter vertically.

 

Generally, your hand can shield the RF signals, so grip the meter as shown on page 2. The RF Mode uses the same plate sensor as the AC Electric Mode. The signal is amplified and converted to a power density magnitude, calibrated at a frequency of 1 GHz (1000 MHz). Maximum range is 19.999 mW/m2 with resolution of 0.001 mW/m2 and accuracy of ±20% of reading at 1 GHz. A frequency response graph of the RF mode is on page 7.

 

When reading RF emitted by digital devices, such as mobile phones and smart meters, the Peak Measurement (small numerals in the upper-left of the display) is of more interest than the Field Measurement (large numerals at the bottom). The information from digital RF devices is transmitted in brief packets that occur irregularly (perhaps once per minute with smart meters and several times per second with Wi-Fi transmitters or mobile phones that are in use). The Peak Measurement detects these packets and displays the strongest packet for several seconds before resetting itself.

 

RF and microwaves are composed of a particular combination of electric fields and magnetic fields that is self-sustaining. For frequencies below about 100 MHz the principle effect on a conducting body is from the magnetic field part only. This is because the electric field component of radio waves produces much weaker currents in the body than does the magnetic field unless the wavelength of the waves is smaller than the height of the body. Low-frequency electric fields by themselves can be strong enough to create significant current, but only if they are from sources other than true radio waves.

Here’s what we would add:

With the Trifield TF2 only having 1-axis for RF field measurement, you’ll want to make sure that you’re not covering the antenna at the top of the meter or that you’re standing between the meter and RF source.

For constant RF emitters like cell phones and Wi-Fi routers and gadgets you may want to move the meter in a figure-8 motion to ensure you’re getting a full reading.

In a nutshell, yes.

As mentioned above, it does well with AC magnetic field accuracy and can help pinpoint AC electric and radio frequency field exposure sources.

This is one of the best beginner meters on the market.

01 – Other Places to Purchase the Trifield TF2

Click here to view other online sites where you can purchase the Trifield TF2.

02 – Learn more about these EMFs

Learn more about AC magnetic fields.

Learn more about AC electric fields.

Learn more about radio frequency fields.

03 – Trifield TF2 Manual

For a direct link to the Trifield TF2 manual from the Trifield website, please click here (Owner’s Manual PDF) (PDF).

04 – Pros and Cons

Visit our EMF Meter Reviews page to read our pros and cons for for similar EMF meters.

05 – Trifield TF2 Review by Patrick van der Burght

Patrick is a geobiologist that helps run the website, GeoVital, which is a good resource for EMF news and literature.

06 – Trifield TF2 Review by Lloyd Burrell

Lloyd, through his extremely informative site Electric Sense, has been a pioneer in helping people deal lower their EMF exposure and live healthier lives.

His website is well worth the visit.

07 – Entry Level EMF Meters

Our reviews of the Cornet ED88T EMF Meter and the latest Meterk EMF Meter are coming soon.

08 – Professional Meters

Our reviews of the Gigahertz NFA1000 AC magnetic and AC electric meter, the Gigahertz HF59B RF meter and the Gigahertz HF59D RF meter are coming soon.

09 – Similar Meters to the Trifield TF2

Visit our EMF Meter Reviews page to view similar meters to the Trifield TF2.