In our everyday lives, we face a common question, is electric substation near house safe? There is nothing to be worried about living near a power substation if you can make sure of a proper distance according to EMF intensity. However, electrical substation generates electric and magnetic fields (EMFs). It becomes weak with increasing distance. This EMF magnitude ranges from 3 to 8 meters or sometimes 15 meters at high-voltage substations. In that case, those are living away beyond that ranges then they are out of EMF reaction. So, EMF magnitude is harm more than 0.05 tesla.
If you have a hose near the substation and get a 0.05 microtesla electric magnetic field (EMF) then you will never have health risks living near the electrical substation. An electrical substation is a major part of an electrical power system. The voltage level is changed in the substation. Substations consist of a large number of electrical electronic components, or electromechanical components. A high voltage, medium voltage, and low voltage small substation generates EMPs that may be harmful.
Is Electric Substation Near House Safe?
Depending on the distance and EMF magnitude range, an electric substation near the house is safe. Don’t touch the low-voltage or high-voltage distribution substation fence. This is because electric shock can cause massive health injuries and death. However, what is an electricity substation? An electrical substation is placed and made of different types of components and the voltage level is changed (step up or down). Indeed, living near an electrical substation is not harmful but maintain a proper distance.
In most cases, local low-voltage substations or distribution substations with different designs appear that close to home. That type of substation generates an Electric Magnetic Field (EMF). In most cases, most of the local substation EMF ranges from 1 to 2 Micro Tesla.
This EMF range reduces with increasing distance. So, how much EMF effect or radiation is not harmful to humans? Around 200 micro-Tesla (µT) or 0.1 to 4 milli-gauss (mG). So, there are no health risks living near electrical substations if you can maintain a proper distance.
Is It Safe to Have a High Voltage Electrical Substation Near Home?
Indeed, we have never seen that people have been suffering from high health injury due to a substation radiation but precautions are required. This is because an explosion may occur at a substation due to electric faults, EMF, lightning effect on the station, high voltage transformer may be blasted, etc.
In that case, 5 to 10 meters should be enough depending on those issues. So, how close can I live in a house next to high-voltage power lines? It should be more than 200 meters away. It is considered a safe distance to live from high-voltage power lines.
Can You Build a House Next to an Electricity Substation?
Building a house next to the distribution substation due to electromagnetic field effect, noise of different components, short circuit faults, visual impacts, and others. So, always maintain a sufficient distance. It is noted that before making a building near a substation, you should consult with a professional electrical engineer or an environmental specialist. You should also follow the government rules on how far you should make a house.
Small Substation Next to House Pros and Cons
Low voltage (LV) small substation has many advantages but also some disadvantages as well. So, let’s see what things can you encourage to install a low-voltage substation near your home that can dishearten you.
- Pros of Small LV Substation Next to House
- Ensure continuous power supply.
- No power fluctuation.
- Increase voltage stability.
- If a fault occurs, then you can quickly inform and solve the problem with an electric technician.
Cons of Small LV Substation Next to House
- Intensity of EMFs.
- Decrease home property value.
- Risk of electric short circuits and noise.
- Low visibility of house.
Can I Make Power Substation for Sale?
Of course, you can make an electric substation for sale. You can make low-voltage mobile substations for specific homes. On the other hand, if you have a substation building company and license, and required documents then of course you can make substations in different areas for sale.
Alright, how much does a substation cost? Home-based substation cost depends on per square feet. In the United States, low-voltage substation cost ranges from $51.59 to $241.02 per square foot (SF). Now gaze at how much would you charge for a home-based or mobile substation.
Does Electric Substation Affect Property Value
Of course, an electric power distribution substation affects property value (home, office, etc.) due to a fire occurring by short circuit rumor, less visible the house, and health risks. Everybody wants to avoid electric hazards. Most people think that substations near house can cause severe explosions because many high-voltage electrical devices are installed there.
On the other hand, EMF can cause injurious to health. Indeed, if a person can ensure proper distance from the substation and get low intensity of EMF then it is not harmful for the human body. So, due to the people’s misunderstanding electric substations affect property value.
How Many Volts Is an Electric Substation?
There are different types of electrical substation primary substation (230 KV), secondary substation (132 KV), primary distribution (33 KV), and secondary distribution (11 KV/400 volts). That substation receives long-distance transmission voltage they usually receive 230KV, 400 KV, etc. So, what do electrical substations do? The substation changes the voltage level (step up and step down).
It means it receives one voltage and sends it another voltage level. The general and common substation voltage system is 230 KV/132 KV/33 KV/11 KV/400 volts. Those require 220 volts (residential voltage) the use one phase and one neutral.
Which Country Has the Highest Substation Voltage?
Kazakhstan has a high-voltage AC transmission line in the world that carries 1,150 KV. In 2025, it is the highest operational transmission line voltage in the world. This high-voltage transmission line and substation was built during the Soviet Union.
On the other side, according to the current period, China is another dominant infrastructural country in the world. China has projected an ultra-high voltage DC transmission line that will contain ±1,100 KV (UHVDC). It is the largest DC transmission and substation voltage in electrical power transmission.
Final Thought
The substation is located near a power source and it works as a middle part from generation to consumer end. We see that the substation is located near the house. In that case, is the electric substation near the house safe? Small residential electrical substation is safe according to EMF radiation but ensure a proper distance to ensure sufficient safety. If EMF intensity becomes endurable and never harms the people and the distribution substation is well protected with a fence, then of course it is safe near the house.