# Renting an apartment right next to a power transformer station **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 29, 2025, 10:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renting-an-apartment-right-next-to-a-power-transformer-station/1017647 "2025-04-29T10:20:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2025, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renting-an-apartment-right-next-to-a-power-transformer-station/1017647/21 "2025-04-29T20:03:13Z")
> [@engineer\_comp\_geek](#): > > No one has ever been able to prove that living close to power lines or a substation causes anything harmful at all. True, the “radiation” is not significantly dangerous. BUT OTOH, substations have been known to catch fire in a rather amazing way. There could be some noise issues, going by in the middle of the nite and listening might be a good idea, or just not getting an apartment whose windows open up on it. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2025, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renting-an-apartment-right-next-to-a-power-transformer-station/1017647/22 "2025-04-29T21:26:14Z")
> [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > I am not sure how to link to Google Street View. But the coordinates are > > 39.90543848566814, -84.00967542548966 Which electron are you referring to, the one to the east or to the west\[1\]? * * * 1. This is a joke about significant figures. You don’t typically need 14 figures after the decimal point in GPS coordinates 🙂. ---
**Author:** ![MW\_Degen\_Gamblr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ec9cab/32.png) [@MW\_Degen\_Gamblr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MW_Degen_Gamblr)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2025, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renting-an-apartment-right-next-to-a-power-transformer-station/1017647/23 "2025-04-29T21:41:14Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > There is a newly-built apartment complex here in Austin that I’ve been looking into. Everything is great, except…it’s right next to a big electrical-power transformation station, with all the machinery. The nearest apartments (right adjacent to the power station) are probably about 180 feet away from the electrical equipment. The furthest apartments are about 800-900 feet away. At what point does the EMF or whatever-other-radiation decay sufficiently to pose no risk? 500 feet? That kind of stuff is a myth. But not everyone believes it is a myth. You should “try” your landlord. If s/he believes in EMF radiation you might can talk them into lowering your rent a little bit. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2025, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renting-an-apartment-right-next-to-a-power-transformer-station/1017647/24 "2025-04-29T21:47:23Z")
> [@engineer\_comp\_geek](#): > > That said, folks who live next to those things do tend to live shorter lives, statistically. Why? We don’t have a clue. I’ve heard that the effect is essentially all economic: Places near power lines are cheaper, and so the people who live there are poorer, and there are lots of reasons why poorer people have shorter lifespans. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2025, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renting-an-apartment-right-next-to-a-power-transformer-station/1017647/25 "2025-04-29T21:55:37Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > I’ve heard that the effect is essentially all economic Though you can imagine a self-reinforcing phenomenon as well. Places near powerlines are cheaper because they’re kinda ugly. There’s a sorting effect where poorer and less-healthy people move there. Studies come out observing this phenomenon. Now there’s the perception that powerlines are not just ugly but also unhealthy. The economic forces become even stronger and thus the sorting effect as well. Repeat as necessary. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2025, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renting-an-apartment-right-next-to-a-power-transformer-station/1017647/26 "2025-04-29T23:10:12Z")
> [@MW\_Degen\_Gamblr](#): > > That kind of stuff is a myth. But not everyone believes it is a myth. You should “try” your landlord. If s/he believes in EMF radiation you might can talk them into lowering your rent a little bit Interesting idea. But a “newly-built apartment complex” doesn’t have some ditzy person as the “landlord”. It’s owned by a big corporation and the office staff (who probably work for a separate apartment management company) have zero discretion on what the computer tells them the rent will be. Your choices are reduced to “yes” and “no”. ---
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2025, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renting-an-apartment-right-next-to-a-power-transformer-station/1017647/27 "2025-04-30T02:05:49Z")
> [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > some electrical power from the overhead lines, You can’t get power from overhead lines. You can get good voltage from HV overhead transmission lines, and a tiny amount of current, but not enough to get charged for. There may have been some story about getting power from copper next to underground lines. Regarding substations: _any_ EM field outside the substations causes _wasted_ power, and the systems are designed to minimize it ---
**Author:** ![Orville\_mogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/aeb1de/32.png) [@Orville\_mogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orville_mogul)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2025, 7:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renting-an-apartment-right-next-to-a-power-transformer-station/1017647/28 "2025-04-30T07:54:37Z")
Laughing my quarks off 😂 ---
**Author:** ![Orville\_mogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/aeb1de/32.png) [@Orville\_mogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orville_mogul)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2025, 10:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renting-an-apartment-right-next-to-a-power-transformer-station/1017647/29 "2025-04-30T10:22:54Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > She said it was a steep uphill climb to try to study this, for hopefully obvious reasons. Just curious, do you remember what those reasons were? ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2025, 11:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renting-an-apartment-right-next-to-a-power-transformer-station/1017647/30 "2025-04-30T11:29:37Z")
The usual politics. Cities don’t want their unequal practices documented, and poor people can’t fund research grants. In principle independent university programs could support something like this but they tend to be deferential to the cities where they’re located. So with no support for the research, the research remains undone. Again, this was twenty years ago, plus or minus, and is just my ex’s view, relayed from my memory. If the situation has changed, or if my recollection is faulty, I’d welcome more current reporting. ---
**Author:** ![Mikkel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikkel/32/13151_2.png) [@Mikkel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mikkel)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2025, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renting-an-apartment-right-next-to-a-power-transformer-station/1017647/31 "2025-04-30T15:34:24Z")
There is an ongoing case in Denmark where cows behave strange after a large transformer station opened. I couldn’t find anything in English, but here is a Google-translate version. > **[Kvægavlers køer drikker hinandens tis - eksperter ved ikke hvorfor](https://www-dr-dk.translate.goog/nyheder/indland/kvaegavlers-koeer-drikker-hinandens-tis-eksperter-ved-ikke-hvorfor?_x_tr_sl=da&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=da&_x_tr_pto=wapp&_x_tr_hist=true)** > > De dehydrerede køer i Vejen vil ikke drikke vand. Kvægavler mistænker strømforurening. Hope it works. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2025, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renting-an-apartment-right-next-to-a-power-transformer-station/1017647/32 "2025-04-30T16:12:31Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > At what point does the EMF or whatever-other-radiation decay sufficiently to pose no risk? > [@engineer\_comp\_geek](#): > > No one has ever been able to prove that living close to power lines or a substation causes anything harmful at all. > [@Joey\_P](#): > > here’s The WHO’s EMF project: > [@MW\_Degen\_Gamblr](#): > > EMF radiation What I’m picking up from this thread is that the rumored dangers of EMF are…[Unbelievable](https://youtu.be/sfCLt0kTd5E). 😊 ---
**Author:** ![bobsmom101](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobsmom101/32/2867_2.png) [@bobsmom101](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobsmom101)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2025, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renting-an-apartment-right-next-to-a-power-transformer-station/1017647/33 "2025-04-30T23:13:35Z")
Aha! So _you’re_ the reason I keep seeing ads for this crap all over he SD:😁 > **[EMF Blockers, Protection and Shields | Conscious Copper](https://consciouscopper.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=brand&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwlMfABhCWARIsADGXdy98g0BgCKhejW5Pdv5JPvEgK2qQVOGpQdQRv0rs_deX0kTOyJ_tdJ0aAv9mEALw_wcB)** > > Conscious Copper finds products designed to help bring consciousness and awareness to EMF, helping to reduce anxiety and provide clarity. Come in! ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2025, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renting-an-apartment-right-next-to-a-power-transformer-station/1017647/34 "2025-04-30T23:33:23Z")
Yeah. Don’t move there. You obviously over worry about these things. Why add to your to your daily concerns? Don’t do it. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2025, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renting-an-apartment-right-next-to-a-power-transformer-station/1017647/35 "2025-05-01T01:22:01Z")
Wisdom. ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2025, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renting-an-apartment-right-next-to-a-power-transformer-station/1017647/36 "2025-05-01T05:05:17Z")
There’s been a lot of work on the relationship between income inequality and health, enough for a [2002 literature survey](https://www.princeton.edu/~deaton/downloads/Health_Inequality_and_Economic_Development.pdf) in a leading economics publication as well as [a more recent epidemiological literature review](https://www.law.nyu.edu/sites/default/files/upload_documents/Income%20inequality%20and%20health_%20A%20causal%20review.pdf). I understand that studies indicating that very moderate drinking had health benefits confused cause and effect in an analogous way: sick people are more likely to skip drinking alcohol altogether, so there was a bogus correlation between better health and having 1 drink a day vs zero drinks a day. ---
**Author:** ![Pasta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecccb3/32.png) [@Pasta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pasta)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2025, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renting-an-apartment-right-next-to-a-power-transformer-station/1017647/37 "2025-05-01T20:29:22Z")
> [@Melbourne](#): > > You can’t get power from overhead lines. For fun, some numbers on inductive power transfer in this situation: The three big killers are the large distance, low frequency, and multi-phase cancellation. Let’s assume these are distribution lines heading into a neighborhood so that they’re as low to the ground as we might hope – say 20 ft overhead – and with loads that corresponds to 100 amps of current in the lines. (The current will vary, but the power company’s goal will be to keep this as low as possible.) The multiple phases present will tend to cancel any inductive transfer, but with fortuitous geometries we can maybe scrape out a 10% residual effect. A 1-m2 single-turn copper loop oriented optimally will thus get 0.8 mV of peak induced electromotive force. More turns in the loop means more voltage, but the gauge of wire will always determine the maximum current due to the wire resistance also going up per turn. 30 awg wire would be cheap to add turns, but you’ll be capped at 0.6 mA peak current during the AC cycle. For 12 awg wire (as might be lying around in the scenario as envisioned), you’ll be capped at 40 mA. But even a crazy 1000 turns of 12 awg wire in our square-meter loop gets you to only 0.8 V, so you would be better off selling that 350 lbs of copper for $1000 and calling it a day. If we really want to stick it to the man and do _something_ with this, let’s try to turn on a single red LED for “free”. Let’s not bother smoothing out the AC and just let the LED flicker, so long as we can stay above the 2-V drop across the LED and be able to supply 20 mA for enough of the AC cycle. At a minimum we need 2500 turns just to get above 2 V. Additional turns are then needed to overcome the resistive losses in the wire, With 12 gauge wire, that brings us to 5000 turns, or nearly 20 km of wire costing about $5k. But we’ll at least have a (sort of) lighted LED, as long as the distribution lines overhead stay at high enough current. The practical way to improve inductive power transfer is with proximity and frequency, both of which this setup lacks. 100+ kHz is standard for consumer inductive chargers, and these also obviously do well in the proximity department. ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2025, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renting-an-apartment-right-next-to-a-power-transformer-station/1017647/38 "2025-05-01T20:33:47Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > You obviously over worry about these things. Why add to your to your daily concerns? > > Don’t do it. Yes, this is the right answer. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2025, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renting-an-apartment-right-next-to-a-power-transformer-station/1017647/39 "2025-05-01T20:51:51Z")
On the bright side, new build construction is not likely to have mold or fungal issues. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2025, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renting-an-apartment-right-next-to-a-power-transformer-station/1017647/40 "2025-05-01T21:37:34Z")
I got into an argument on NextDoor a few years ago with a guy who was adamant that wireless meter readers caused high blood pressure. I told him he was ridiculous (in not much nicer terms), and pointed out that the WiFi network he was using to connect his computer to make his post was emitting signals many, many thousands of times more powerful. But, he just called me a shill for the power company… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renting-an-apartment-right-next-to-a-power-transformer-station/1017647.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renting-an-apartment-right-next-to-a-power-transformer-station/1017647.md?page=3)