In my previous post, I dug into the field of protective barriers, you know the basics: Sunscreen and EMI/RFI shielding. Now that we know WHAT EMI is, let’s look at some ways to protect our electronics.

One way to protect your device is with a metallic barrier called “RFI/EMI Shielding”. There are many ways of creating this type of shielding depending on the type and size of the product, as well as industry and end use. For plastic electronic enclosures, this is typically a spray-on shield that can coat anything from the interior of your plastic electronic enclosure to the wires themselves. As the spray can most evenly coat the item, as well as nestle into any tight corners or crevasses within the enclosure, it is has become a common form of protection for plastic enclosures. The spray, once dry, creates a continuous layer of conductive metal.

Another form of RFI/EMI Shielding can be brushed, or painted, onto the surface. This shielding contains appropriate levels of pure elements such as nickel, copper or silver that counteract the effects of RFI/EMI, essentially eliminating the interference. By creating a reflective surface that the electromagnetic radiation can “bounce” off of, internal fields stay within the enclosure, while external fields must stay on the exterior.

While many of you will find your device does not need such a strong level of protection, some end-uses require strong RFI/EMI shielding. Some industries, such as the medical field, require that devices be protected so they are not affected by cell phones and other personal electronic devices. RFI/EMI shielding helps make this protection possible.

As the world evolves and turns to more and more electronic devices, this process is becoming much more attainable. A simple internet search can turn up thousands of options, as well as suppliers.

Got questions? Drop Polycase a line, we're listening.

In Plastic Electronic Enclosures, Electronics Tips