Many people now realize that using Wi-Fi is not wise – both for security and health reasons. Wired Ethernet-based internet access goes a long way toward solving these issues. However, even a wired internet system can cause issues if set up incorrectly. This is because of the electric fields and electromagnetic interference (EMI) that many new modems and routers create. These fields then travel along your Ethernet cable to your computer and can become just as problematic as Wi-Fi.
In this article, you will learn how to install a wired internet system with no electric fields and very little EMI. For electrically sensitive individuals, this will allow you to use your computer for longer periods of time without symptoms. For health-conscious people, this is the next step in creating a truly low-EMF home for you and your family.
Article Quick Summary
- Set up a simple wired internet system as described below and in this article.
- Purchase this Ethernet ground adapter kit.
- If your laptop or device only has a USB-C or USB-A port, use this ground adapter.
- Ground the Ethernet adapter to your electrical system or to the outside per this video:
Why Wired Internet Systems Have Electric Fields and EMI
Before we move on to recommended solutions, I want to explain the primary reasons why EMI is created by a wired internet system:
- Modems and routers all have a switched-mode power supply (SMPS) that is plugged into an outlet. The EMI created by this SMPS can travel along your electrical wiring and Ethernet cables. You can test this with an AM radio and electric field meter (pictured below).
- Newer “Gigabit” modems and routers that allow for “blazing fast internet speeds” of 500 or 1,000 mbps create excess high frequency EMI that travels along your Ethernet cable to your computer. Here is a technical explanation as to why this happens. Whenever possible, I suggest you use lower bandwidth equipment rated at 10/100 mbps. This is still fast enough to stream movies on Netflix or YouTube.
- In some offices and homes, companies will install Power Over Ethernet (PoE). This allows a small amount of electricity to flow through the Ethernet cables, typically to power a phone/modem system in separate rooms. Unfortunately, PoE cables are not shielded for the high amounts of EMI they carry and these systems are very unhealthy for users.
- Rather than using Wi-Fi or long, shielded Ethernet cables, some people use PLC (power-line communication) systems to transmit internet data around the home on the electrical wiring system. Unfortunately, these PLC systems create an incredibly high amount of EMI (“dirty electricity”) on your home wiring. This EMI then radiates into your living environmentand istransmitted to your computer.
How to Measure Electric Fields
In the following images, you can see both high and low electric field readings for a wired laptop. The laptop is running on battery power and utilizes an external keyboard and mouse. The first picture shows very high electric field readings with a typical wired internet system. The second image shows healthy readings (ideally below 3 Volts/meter at your computer). Below the pictures, I explain exactly how to achieve these low electric field readings.
Electric field readings of over 10 V/m are highly problematic. Some people feel drained or experience headaches from sitting at their computer and electric fields and EMI can be the primary cause. Levels this high greatly reduce the amount of time I can spend on a computer without symptoms.
This electric field measurement was taken just a couple minutes later once the proper setup was in place. The only difference is there is now almost no electric field transmitted by the Ethernet cable. Electric field readings below 2 V/m are much healthier for any extended use of your computer. I am using the Gigahertz Solutions ME3851A for my electric field measurements.
How to Set Up a Low-EMF InternetConnection
I have experimented with a lot of computer equipment over the years to find brands and models that allow me to work with fewer symptoms. The following is a home internet system that createslow EMI, measured with both an electric field meter and AM radio.
- If your cable internet provider is any company except AT&T or Verizon, I suggest you purchase your own Arris SB8200 cable modem. This will integrate with Comcast, Charter, Cox and most regional providers. If you have fiber optic internet service to your home, you want to confirm that you can disable the Wi-Fi on the fiber modem (ONT) that your company provides. You cannot purchase your own modem with fiber optic service.
- For your router, I would get a simple wired version, such as this inexpensive Mikrotik or ElectraHealth wired router. Alternatively, you can get this Netgear N600 router that has an easy on/off button for Wi-Fi. A router is necessary because Comcast and other internet providers do not automatically provide multiple IP addresses. If you need occasional Wi-Fi access, many of my clients get the JRS AC1900 Eco-Router. You get an $8 discount on the JRS eco-router with my code JJ21FHRE at checkout.
- If your modem does provide multiple IP address, then you just need an Ethernet switch to provide additional Ethernet ports in your home. I use this slower TP-Link version and this metal 8 port switch.
- You will then need to purchase two Ethernet cables to connect to your laptop or device. The reason for purchasing two cables can be seen in the next step. I recommend these thin, shielded Cat8 cables or these shielded Cat-7 cables from Electra Health. Two 25-foot cables are ideal, but you can get shorter or longer cables based on your needs. You will also need a short cable that is shielded and has metal RJ45 endings to place between your modem and the Ethernet switch.
- The final step to have a low-EMF internet connection is to utilize an Ethernet ground adapter. This ground adapter will be placed in between your two Ethernet cables and will ground most of the lower-frequency electric fields and EMI (below 1 MHz) so that it is not being transmitted to your computer. You will run the first Ethernet cable from your router or switch to the ground adapter. Then you will run your second cable from the ground adapter to your computer. Here is a picture showing what the ground adapter looks like. If your laptop does not have an Ethernet port, you can use a USB or USB-C ground adapter from either ElectraHealth or Tech Wellness. They are the same product.
An Ethernet Ground Adapter will reduce much of the EMI flowing to your computer.
[The above video will show you some of the steps I take to reduce the electric fields at my computer.]
How to Properly Ground Your Wired Internet System
The following videos and sections will help you see how I ground my wired Ethernet system.
[This video shows you the specific items that will allow you to ground your Ethernet connection if you do not have access to an electrical ground in your home. You will need two shielded CAT8 cables, a ground adapter, a gator-to-gator clip, a 10′ extension cable and a thin 2′ copper stake that you can buy for about $2 at your local hardware store or from LessEMF. The total cost for this setup is approximately $75. If you create your own system, just make sure you have metal-to-metal all the way to the ground outside and that the electric fields at your computer are below 2 V/m.]
The following video shows why I typically ground my Ethernet system to the outside – there can be EMI on your electrical safety ground.
Whether you are electrically sensitive or you simply want to have a healthier home for your family, the above solution will make quite a difference. Many people are now aware that Wi-Fi is dangerous. However, microwave radiation from wireless technology is only one part of the EMF equation. Electromagnetic interference can be just as problematic and could be the reason why you experience symptoms from computer use. Hopefully this article will help you have a truly healthy, low-EMF internet connection for many years to come.
Note: If you would like to obtain an EMF meter to check the electric fields at your computer, I suggest either the Gigahertz Solutions ME3830B or ME3851A (pictured above). You get a 10% discount on your Safe Living Technologies purchase with my distributor code of EMFA.I also suggest the Radio Shack AM Radio Model 12-467 or 12-464 that can be found on ebay. Or this Retekess shortwave radio. You can always contact me to discuss how to do this.
Why Re-Measuring Electric Fields Is Important
I recently had a situation where I wasn’t feeling well working at my computer. It was similar to what I had felt with high 60 Hz electric field exposures in the past, so I re-measured the fields at my laptop. Unfortunately, they were incredibly high. It turned out that my Ethernet ground system had failed and extreme electric fields were transmitting from my router to may laptop and external keyboard and mouse. The Gator-to-Gator clip had corroded and was no longer connected to the Earth outside my home.
Here are the electric field readings on my Gigahertz Solutions ME3851A that were giving me a headache and causing fatigue while I worked. Anything over 10 V/m is considered extreme, so these readings were much more than I would ever want to be exposed to while working:
Below are the grounded Electric Field measurements at my workstation without an Ethernet internet connection (background levels with the laptop not charging or connected via Ethernet). Being under 1 V/m at your workstation is really ideal.
I then replaced my corroded Gator-to-Gator clip with thick electrical wire (4 gauge) and a grounding rod that I got from the local electrical store for under $20. This is what my setup now looks like:
Once I had my Ethernet system properly grounded again, the electric fields at my laptop went back down to a healthy level ~ just above 1 V/m. After I accomplished this, my symptoms while computing greatly diminished over the next several days.
[Electric Field levels at my laptop once the proper grounding had been reestablished.]
The lesson learned here is to double check the EMF levels at your laptop every once in a while. Parts fail, especially once they are over five years old. EMF levels will change over time as you bring in new equipment and things change in your home and neighborhood. Here are the EMF meters I recommend to stay on top of this. Hopefully this knowledge will keep you computing in a safe way for many years and decades to come.
I am always here for your EMF questions. You can see how I work on this page.
Thank you,
Jeromy
You can download a printable PDF of this article here. The updated PDF version can be found here.
Updated April 2024. Originally published April 2017.
Disclosure: EMF Analysis is partly supported by a small commission for purchases made through some product links on this page. This income enables me to continue to research and write about this important topic. Thank you for supporting my work.
