Steel Shielding
The generic definition of EMI or EMC shielding is any method used to protect a sensitive signal from exterior electromagnetic interference. It also prevents stronger signals from leaking out and interfering with surrounding electronics. As the need for protective materials has increased, most experts have discovered that the concepts of the Faraday cage can best be implemented with the use of steel shielding.
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Applications of Steel Shielding
Steel shielding is designed to perform in high traffic conditions where there is the potential of multiple electromagnetic interferences. This quality is the reason that it is used the most in large cities and hospitals. Since it takes little effort to install, technical companies have become dependent on its low cost and high quality to protect their data and avoid interruptions to productivity.
Steel shielding has a permeability value in the lower hundreds range, which provides a low-frequency magnetic shield that is missing from alloy 770, copper, or aluminum. Its corrosion resistance prevents it from rusting. Since it is very solderable, it is perfect for the construction of enclosures or cabinets and can be easily attached to the traces on a surface board during assembly. Since the need for shielding has arisen, steel shielding has been perfected and repurposed in many forms such as wire, mesh, cable protectors, sheets, and other types. Its excellent protective qualities have made it a necessary part of military and governmental projects that require the protection of classified and confidential data.
How Steel Shielding Works
Steel shielding absorbs random electromagnetic interference and dissipates it by sending it to a grounded material. When it surrounds sensitive electronics, it creates a nullifying current to resist electrical intrusion. Random electrical signals fill the air around us. Most of them are benign and inconsequential but can have a deleterious impact on necessary and important electrical equipment. For this reason, manufacturers of MRI’s, EKG’s, and other sensitive medical equipment build steel shielding into their equipment to ensure proper performance, readings, and safety.
The idea behind shielding is to create a conductive layer around a device with connected layers of steel. Steel shielding has consistent conductivity with multiple layers. It is durable and economical with the capability of protecting against frequencies from 800 to 1900 MHz as well as being versatile enough to be installed in any type of environment regardless of the exterior conditions. The use of steel shielding has become a necessary part of the production of sensitive electronic equipment. As with any form of the metal, steel shielding is long lasting, durable, and a source of excellent protection. It is one of those things we depend on but make little notice of.