In this paper, the magnetic field properties around household appliances are investigated with the single coil model and equivalent source model, which are used as main source models in the European standard EN50366 (CENELEC). The accuracy of the field properties is conducted for the coil model (defined in the EN50366), by comparing with the results of the equivalent source model, which allow the reproduction of the complicated inhomogeneous magnetic field around the appliance with full generality (i.e. supports three dimensional vector fields).

In this paper, the magnetic field properties and the dosimetry at intermediate frequency (21 kHz) for an induction heater are investigated with the coil model, which is prescribed as substitute source model in the European standard EN50366 (CENELEC). The accuracy of the magnetic field vectors and the values of the induced current density, which are achieved with the coil model, are compared with the results of a realistic model of the induction heater obtained from the equivalent source model. It is shown that the coil model coincides well for the magnitude of the magnetic field strength around the induction heater. On the other hand, the dominant field vector of the coil model differs significantly from the real induction heater, which leads to induced current densities in the body model which are three time larger. Owing to these results, the applicability of the coil model prescribed in the EN50366 is confirmed for the induction heater.