Impact of Foil Shielding in EMI Prevention

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Impact of Foil Shielding in EMI Prevention

Electromagnetic as well as radio-frequency interference is a major issue for the shielded cable
assemblies used in data transmission. The smallest disturbance could result in device failure, a reduction in
signal quality, data loss, or a full disruption of the transmission.
What is Foil Shielding?
A shielded cable which uses a thin coating of aluminum or copper and a polyester covering to boost
longevity is known as foil shielding. A tinned drain wire made of copper and a foil shield work together to
ground that shield.
In addition to providing complete coverage, foil shielding is resistant to different RFI applications of high
frequency. Foil shield comes quick, cheap, and simple to create because it is lightweight as well as
affordable.
Despite providing coverage and RFI protection, foil shielding is not very robust, and its components are
delicate. These characteristics make foil shielding challenging to deal with because it has a short flex life as
well as zero mechanical strength. For the high-flex applications, foil shielding is not advised.
Foil shielding can be generally utilized in cables when the maximum amount of cable flexibility isn’t really
critical. Understandably, the mechanical qualities of a totally enclosing foil that behaves like such a tube are
not as efficient as a spiral and braided shielding. Because a foil shield may even crack under extreme
mechanical stress, the engineers also use other shielding types when other factors like flexibility or even
drag-chain compatibility have not been taken into account.
In every cable design, foil shielding plays a vital role in minimizing EMI as well as other crosstalk. Two
forms of a tin foil: copper foil or aluminum foil can be utilized in data cables that are twisted.
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What is the Function of Foil Shields?
Foil Shield
The kind of screening or shielding used is a vital component in a cable. The primary function of various
shielding techniques is to shield the conductors of the signal from outside interference (electrical or/and
magnetic fields), which improves the electromagnetic compatibility of a cable and makes sure that the signal
transmission becomes unhindered and interference-free as possible.
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Also, the three basic shielding types are braided, spiral, and foil shields. Typically, the foil shield is made of
plastic foil which is covered in aluminum just on surface and is bare or uncoated inside (this is also called
the aluminum-laminated foil).
Even at tiny bending radii, it typically completely covers all its inner conductors and also provides
mechanical stabilization for the cable. It is also feasible to coat with other types of metal, like copper.
If more glue or welding is required, this foil would either be laid or wrapped around this conductor in a
longitudinal way and in the direction of movement). The shield wire, which is a thin, non-insulated strand
that runs underneath the shield as well as connects it via the connector, is also significant in this situation.
Because they provide the finest electromagnetic field shielding capabilities, foil shields have been frequently
utilized in high-frequency regions (this depends on the thickness as well as the applied material). Between
60 to about 65 dB, the foil shields offer a great value for attenuation.
Common Methods for Cable Foil’s Construction
The construction of a cable’s foil typically employs one of three techniques: longitudinal, wrapped, or
diagonal.
Longitudinal
The longitudinal construction utilizing either copper or aluminum foil is the simplest and least expensive foil
approach. It doesn’t need any extra production processing and gives the finest electrical shield efficacy. Foil
can be fairly rigid when used longitudinally, which makes it less useful after movement. Take for instance,
the foil might start to break or crack if it is moved too frequently.
Diagonal
Foil should be used in a diagonal approach, which could be used in the process of twisting to increase its
flexibility. It doesn’t need any extra production processing, just like longitudinal. Nevertheless, when
utilized diagonally, additional shielding foil would be needed than when utilized longitudinally.

This helps in increasing the foil consumption as well as your expenditures. Finally, regarding shielding, the
effectiveness of diagonal shielding is less than that of longitudinal shielding.
Wrapping
The most flexible option is to wrap your shield foil, although this option has the least effective shielding.
Taping the foil increases production costs as well. There is insufficient shielding between the connector and
the cable shield.
Over the foil shielding, some copper is required, either tin or bare copper. There are two ways to include this
copper in the cable: either as indirect cores or via copper braiding. Longer braids are more affordable, quick,
and simple to strip.
However, they offer low flexibility, reduced attenuation, and short service lives, particularly in mobile
applications. On the contrary side, shorter braids are preferable for lengthy service life in applications that
move continuously, like cable tracks. Compared to short braids, they provide greater attenuation. However,
they cost more up front and stripping them is more difficult.

What is Braided Shielding?
A shielded assembly is enclosed in a densely woven lattice comprising thin wires or tin copper for braided
shielding. The braid-like arrangement offers a low-resistance route to the ground.
The most “conventional” type of shielding is braided, which is more adaptable than the foil shielding. This
form of shielding is really effective and flexible, providing lots of flex life as well as mechanical strength.
iCONN advises using braided shielding for all EMI applications inside the low to the medium frequency
range, despite the fact that it works at all types of frequency and is most effective at low frequencies.
While this foil shielding works great for different applications of high frequency, braided shielding provides
strong mechanical strength therefore works best for medium and low frequencies. Foil is less expensive and
more readily produced than braided, which may cost more. Braided shielding, the most common type of
shielding, only offers 70–90% of coverage whereas foil shielding offers 100%.
Conclusion
Shielding, which is known as an insulation layer that contains electrical energy and is wrapped round
electrical cables to stop it from absorbing or emitting EMI/RFI, is a component of shielded cable assembly.
Foil shielding is essentially utilized in cables whereby the highest possible flexibility of the cable isn’t too
important.
Related Posts:
1. An introduction about PCB copper foil types
2. The Features, Applications, and Benefits of Invar Controlled Expansion Alloy-Foil PCB
Materials
3. Why Need EMI Shielding in Electronics ?
4. What are EMC Shielding Solutions?
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RAYMING PCB & ASSEMBLY

Impact of Foil Shielding in EMI Prevention

What is Foil Shielding?

Request PCB Manufacturing & Assembly Quote Now

PCB Manufacturing & Assembly Services https://www.raypcb.com/

Request PCB Manufacturing & Assembly Quote Now

Common Methods for Cable Foil’s Construction

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Request PCB Manufacturing & Assembly Quote Now

1. An introduction about PCB copper foil types

3. Why Need EMI Shielding in Electronics ?

4. What are EMC Shielding Solutions?

PCB Manufacturing & Assembly Services https://www.raypcb.com/

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