Electronics manufacturers understand the importance of designing electromagnetic interference shielded enclosures for a circuit board. These enclosures are designed using various materials such as pre-tin plated steel, copper alloy 770/nickel silver, aluminum, and copper. Among these, copper is the most popular material used for making enclosures to attenuate magnetic and electrical waves in the printed circuit board. Although more expensive than copper alloy 770 or pre-tin plated steel, copper is chosen largely owing to its high conductivity. This post explores various copper EMI shielding solutions used to protect PCBs.
Focus on Copper EMI Shielding Solutions
The following are a few popular copper EMI shielding solutions depending on the forms they take as per specific application requirements.
- Copper Foil: Thin copper foil sheets are used in PCBs to block electromagnetic radiation. They also help in creating a continuous conductive path. Being lightweight and thin, these sheets do not add to the PCB’s weight, making them a popular EMI shielding material.
- Copper Shielding Enclosures: As the name suggests, these enclosures often comprise two parts – housing and parts cover. These enclosures assure effective RFI/EMI shielding as well as protection. Generally, copper shielding enclosures are installed over an existing plastic housing on PCB to protect the components from EMI further. This enclosure can be used to protect the entire PCB against interference. The two-part body construction allows displays, connectors, and switches on PCB to protrude through the housing and cover.
- Copper Coating: Copper coating or plating is usually applied to different components of PCB or circuit to prevent EMI. This helps protect the sensitive electronics within the enclosure from EMI.
- Copper Mesh: As the name suggests, these copper EMI shielding solutions comprise delicately woven copper mesh screens, which are used in areas on the PCB where airflow may be necessary. The copper mesh is lightweight, delicate, and assures effective EMI protection. Copper mesh also assures effective visual inspection and ventilation.
- Copper Shielding Tape: This tape comprises a conductive adhesive and a flexible material. The adhesive offers an effective conductive path that can easily dissipate surrounding EM energy.
Although most of these copper EMI shielding solutions have been used in the PCB industry for years, they may not be completely effective as projected. This is where board-level shielding SnapShot® by XGR Tech can make a difference. These multi-cavity shields have been proven to solve many challenges associated with general copper EMIL shielding solutions. These multi-cavity shields comprise a lightweight and metalized plastic material, which is usually thermoformed to any shape. These shields feature a Polyethermide inner surface with a tin-plated, conductive outer surface, which assures effective EMI control. Contact the team at XGR today if you are facing challenges with your current copper EMI shielding solutions, and they will help you figure out how SnapShot® board-level shielding can be effective in this context.
