>-----Original Message----- 
>From: Chris Maxwell [ mailto:chris.maxw...@nettest.com] 
>Sent: Monday, November 17, 2003 8:03 AM 
>To: Jeff Chambers; emc-p...@majordomo.ieee.org 
>Subject: RE: Leakage at Enclosure Seams 
> 
> 
> 
>You may expect a small improvement because the overlap forms a 
>weak capacitor, which will short circuit some high frequency 
>currents across the gap.  
> 
>I really can't fathom a guess at how much improvement.  It 
>would be an interesting mathematical experiment to model the 
>capacitance of the seam. 
> 
>Chris Maxwell | Design Engineer - Instruments Group 
>email chris.maxw...@nettest.com | dir +1 315 266 5128 | fax +1 
>315 797 8024 
> 
>NetTest | 6 Rhoads Drive, Utica, NY 13502 | USA 
>web www.nettest.com | tel +1 315 797 4449 | 
> 
> 
> 
> 
>> -----Original Message----- 
>> From:        owner-emc-p...@majordomo.ieee.org 
>[SMTP:owner-emc-p...@majordomo.ieee.org] On Behalf Of Jeff Chambers 
>> Sent:        Monday, November 17, 2003 10:22 AM 
>> To:  emc-p...@majordomo.ieee.org 
>> Subject:     Leakage at Enclosure Seams 
>> 
>> 
>> I  have been asked to comment on what improvement might be 
>expected in 
>> changing the design of an equipment lid from: 
>> 
>> A flat lid sat on the edges of the box, where the gaps 
>between fasteners can 
>> be modelled as a simple aperture, where the attenuation 
>decreases linearly 
>> with log(f) to zero at a half wavelength. 
>> 
>> To: 
>> A stepped lid, with the lid sat on the edges, and with the projection 
>> extending below the inner edge of the box.This removes the 
>'line of sight' 
>> gap into the enclosure. Does this improve the attenuation? 
>Intuitively it 
>> should, but if the leakage occurs because of the 
>interruption in shielding 
>> conductivity and hence current flow at the seam, it won't. 
>> 
>> Does anybody have any references to analyses of the above, 
>or comments, 
>> please? 
>> 
>> (No emi gaskets are used btw). 
>> 
>> Thanks, Jeff Chambers 
>> 
>> ---------------------------------------------------------- 
>> Dr Jeff Chambers 
>> Westbay Technology Ltd 
>> Main St 
>> Baycliff 
>> Ulverston 
>> Cumbria LA12 9RN 
>> England 
>> Tel: 01229 869 108 
>> Fax: 01229 869 108 
>> http://www.westbay.ndirect.co.uk 



Jeff: 

If the radiation were leaking out by propagating through the seam gap, which
would have to be very high GHz emissions, as the gap is small, then a more
labyrinthine gap would help a bit. At lower frequencies, where the gap creates
an impedance discontinuity, and the radiation is caused by current across the
impedance, then I don't think the gap shape would matter very much.

OTOH, even if my guess is right, somebody will want quantitative data, so test
a couple of cover gaps yourself. 

Regards, 

Ed 


Ed Price 
ed.pr...@cubic.com         WB6WSN 
NARTE Certified EMC Engineer & Technician 
Electromagnetic Compatibility Lab 
Cubic Defense Applications 
San Diego, CA  USA 
858-505-2780  (Voice) 
858-505-1583  (Fax) 
Military & Avionics EMC Is Our Specialty 


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