An improved Helmholtz coil system is disclosed, which allows testing of components in a uniform DC or AC magnetic field with precise and repeatable positioning and orientation over 360 degrees of angular displacement about each of the x, y and z planes. For example, a 3-gimbaled Helmholtz coil system is disclosed, which includes a base plate that supports two coils arranged on a common axis and perpendicular to the base, and a system of three gimbals arranged in proximity to, but not necessarily located within, the magnetic field between the two coils. The gimbaled system includes an outer mount that is arranged perpendicular to the base plate and substantially intersects the center of the magnetic field. The gimbaled system includes three lockable gimbals, which can rotate on axes at right angles with respect to each other so as to allow a full 360 degrees of angular displacement in the x, y and z planes and also be locked for stabilization at any position therebetween. Thus, a component to be tested is secured to a plate or a test PWA attached to the inner-most or center gimbal, one or more of the three gimbals is moved and locked to position the component at a point associated with a desired set of coordinates in the x, y and z planes, and power is applied to the gimbaled Helmholtz coil system to generate a magnetic field between the two coils. Also, a set of slip rings can be provided with the gimbaled Helmholtz coil system, which enables transmission of test measurement signals from the test component to an external connection of the gimbaled Helmholtz coil system and allows more than 360 degrees of displacement of the component in any of the x, y and z planes.