Magnetometers

Authors:

Geoffrey Hunter

Published On:

Dec 9, 2014

Last Updated:

Dec 9, 2014

Magnetometers are miniature electro-mechanical devices that measure the magnetic field they are placed in.

Interference

Soft-Iron

Soft-iron materials are ones which are not magnetic themselves, but generate a magnetic field.

This includes:

Ferrous EMI shielding
Screws
Battery contacts

Hard-Iron

Hard-iron materials are ones which are naturally magnetic.

This includes:

Speakers
Proximity switches
Hall-effect sensors

Electromagnetic

Magnetometers are not directly affected by electromagnetic waves. However, if these waves pass through conductive substances (including those inside the magnetometer itself), these can induce a current which in turn creates a magnetic field.