A typical Tri-field meter
The Trifield Meter by AlphaLabs
I own an “original” model TriField (TM) meter made by AlphaLabs in Utah. These are amazingly sensitive devices and employ some sophisticated circuitry to do the job they do. As is the case with most of the tools in a ghost hunter’s bag of tricks, we often press technologies meant for one purpose to use in another out of sheer necessity and by virtue of the fact that the tool WORKS when detecting paranormal phenomena.
As I’m still learning to use my meter, I thought it wise to collect, in one place, as much information as possible about the use of these meters in paranormal research along with a “How-To” for the average investigator. I’m also putting specifications from the manufacturer into the article so there is one complete source to look to. Always check the sources for new and more recent information just to be sure but do know we will try to keep this article updated over time.
So we’ll cover a short history of the device, it’s uses and then get right into the “How-To” for our intended purposes. At the end of the article, we’ll provide specifications and reference data direct from the manufacturer web sites ( with links ).
First off, let’s look at a video with a nice “How-To” and background on the TriField meter:
The Natural meter is covered here:
I am uncertain as to this date if the magnetic or electric field on the original trifield is the correct setting to use for detecting a haunt. The “Natural” model uses a “sum” setting to bring both inputs into one simple measurement but I think the original model would be best used in the magnetic at the zero-3 milligauss setting for paranormal research. I’m hoping to stand corrected by some knowing source out there so I can correct this part of the article if I am off in this assertion.
I will, for the time being try an investigation with using various settings to see how it goes and then comment more as my experiences progress.
A nice article on the capabilities of the TriField meter is provided below (Note, this refers to the “Natural” meter which is similar to the original model. There are some differences in capabilities, but they are made by the same manufacturer. This content comes from http://www.trifieldmeter.com and we recommend visiting their site to see their very complete and well-written information on the Tri-Field Natural meter:
The TriField Natural EM Meter detects changes in extremely weak static (or natural”) electric and magnetic fields. It signals with both a tone and the movement of a needle-type gauge if either the electric or magnetic field changes from previous levels. A radio and microwave detector is also included, which reads radio power directly if any transmitters are nearby. Since man-made AC electric and magnetic fields are very common and could interfere with readings of static fields, the meter has been designed to ignore the AC fields of power lines, appliances, etc.
This meter was designed to satisfy the need for natural field measurements in specialized research areas. It can detect “geomagnetic storms” caused by unusual solar activity interacting with the ionosphere (which results in rapid changes of up to 10% in the Earth’s magnetic field), as well as the electrical activity of ordinary thunder storms. Ball lightning should in theory be associated with a strong magnetic field, and magnetization of metal has been reported with some UFO sightings. When set on MAGNETIC, the Natural EM Meter will signal the movement of any strong magnetic source in the sky, even if the sky is cloudy or the source dips behind a hill. Since construction materials generally do not block magnetic fields, the meter can be placed indoors and work equally well. The built-in tone allows its use in the dark.
The meter is sensitive to changes of as little as 0.5% of the strength of the Earth’s magnetic field, and the tone will sound whether the field increases or decreases. If the magnetic field then becomes stable for more than about five seconds, the tone will stop and the needle will return to zero. The meter will remain at rest until the field changes again. The threshold level, or “squelch”, of the tone is adjustable. The user determines the amount of change in the magnetic field (within a 0.5 second interval) required to sound the tone. If the field changes by a threshold amount, the tone will come on at at lower pitch. If the amount of change is large, the tone will be higher.
When the dial is set to ELECTRIC, the meter is sensitive to electric fields as weak as 3 V/m (volts per meter). To illustrate just how feeble a field this is, a l0’xl0’xl0′ room filled with a field of this strength has a total amount of energy equivalent to that required to lift a single grain of table salt 1/50th of an inch. Indoors, electric fields typically fluctuate 1 or 2 V/m. By setting the minimum sensitivity to change at 3 V/m, we have designed the meter to disregard this “background noise”.
Human beings and animals usually emit an electric field which is easily detectable using the Natural EM Meter. In fact, the meter can be used as a motion-activated intruder alarm. It is so sensitive that it can detect the presence of a person through a wall. Though it is not foolproof in this capacity, (sometimes a person will carry NO electric charge and thus be “invisible” to the meter), its sensitivity is of interest to researchers in the field of parapsychology, especially “ghost hunters”. Every type of detectable physical manifestation requires a certain amount of energy. For example, “moving air” requires the expenditure of a small amount of energy to get the air to move initially.
Below is a table showing several types of effects or fields emitted by people and objects. It also shows the minimum amount of energy required (per cubic foot of air) to set up that effect or field so that it is stronger than typical indoor “background noise” for that effect or field. Clearly the static electric field is the type that requires the least energy to be detectable.
