Unlike before, electronics – ranging from smartphones and laptops to household appliances and car systems – have become a vital part of our daily lives. However, ever-increasing dependency on electronic devices also demands protecting them from electromagnetic interference (EMI), which can otherwise affect the performance of electronics, leading to malfunctions and data loss. Thankfully, there is a solution – shielding tape. This post explores what is shielding tape and steps involved in using shielding tape to protect your electronic devices from EMI.
What is a Shielding Tape
Shielding tape is simply an adhesive tape that serves the crucial purpose of safeguarding electronic components and devices from electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio frequency interference (RFI). Through its unique design, shielding tape creates a conductive barrier that effectively blocks external electromagnetic radiation from entering or leaving the device, thereby significantly minimizing the potential risk of interference that could affect its normal functionality. Comprised highly conductive materials like copper or aluminum, shielding tape operates by creating a grounded shield around the device. This shield acts as a barrier, skillfully absorbing electromagnetic waves, ensuring they have no adverse impact on the delicate components housed within the device.
How to Use a Shielding Tape
Here are the best practices of using shielding tape to protect your electronics:
- Identify the Areas to be Shielded: Before applying shielding tape, thoroughly check and identify the areas of your electronics that are most susceptible to EMI. In many cases, sensitive components, connectors, or wiring would be most vulnerable to EMI.
- Clean the Surface: Ensure that the surface where the tape will be applied is clean and free of any dust, dirt, or moisture. Doing this before applying the tape is extremely important to ensure proper adhesion and minimizes the risk of contamination.
- Measure and Cut the Tape: Shielding tapes are available in various widths and lengths. Hence, it is advisable to measure the area you need to protect and cut the tape accordingly. This will make sure that you have enough tape to fully cover the intended area with a slight overlap for a secure connection. This can prevent wastage also.
- Apply the Tape Properly: Start by removing a small portion of the tape's backing and carefully align it with the area you wish to shield. Gradually, peel off the remaining backing while applying the tape smoothly and evenly. Ensure to prevent any wrinkles or air bubbles during the process. Press down firmly to ensure proper adhesion.
- Continuity: It is crucial to apply tape correctly to create a continuous and thorough shield around your electronics. This will prevent any gaps that may compromise the effectiveness of the shielding. Ensuring proper application is of utmost importance in achieving the expected level of protection for your devices.
- Proper Grounding: For shielding tape to be fully effective, it has to be properly grounded. This means connecting the tape to a suitable grounding point to discharge any accumulated static electricity or EMI.
- Inspect and Maintain Regularly: Shielding tape, like any other protective material, demands regular inspection and maintenance. Ensure that there is no sign of wear, tear, or damage. In case you find some, replace the tape as necessary to ensure continued protection.
- Seek Professional Guidance: Seeking professional help is highly recommended as they have the knowledge and expertise to properly apply the tape to achieve maximum protection. Additionally, professionals can also offer guidance on the best type of tape to use for your specific electronics.
Having said the effectiveness of shielding tape, it is important to understand that shielding tape is not the sole component responsible for protecting electronics from interference. While shielding tape plays efficient role in mitigating the effects of EMI in many electronic devices, you need to address this issue at the PCB level, too. For this, you can consider board level shields like SnapShot™ by XGR Technologies . These shields are made from a thin polyetherimide film on the interior and conductive tin on the exterior surfaces. They are flexible and can easily conform to the shapes of the boards. These shields help reduce electromagnetic inference. If you need further information on these EMI shields, you can contact the XGR Technologies team via phone or email.
