Maintaining EMI/RFI Shielding Integrity of Equipment Enclosures with Conductive Gasketing

The easiest way to eliminate electromagnetic and radio frequency interference (EMI/RFI) is to remove the source of the problem, but in this age of increasing need for more data transmission, higher power levels and denser packaging techniques, it is a matter of designing around the problem and deciding upon a useable inter­ ference tolerance level. Many designers strive to de­ sign electronics that can operate in a "stand-alone" operating mode without the need for an enclosure, but many applications still have a need for enclosure pro­ tection. Shielding problems arise because insufficient analysis is given to anticipating potential conducted and radiated interference that can be generated within the equipment or from an external source when the unit is in its operating environment, so EMI/RFI shielding is unjustly labeled as a "black box" art. The ultimate solution is to create a closer coordinating effect among the electrical materials and mechanical designers to maintain the functional operation for which the unit is intended and maintain equipment integrity within its surrounding environment.