Dave's perpetual question thread

[Greebe]

I wouldn't suggest AL foil for shielding because over time it'll oxidize and or galvanically react to the ground lead if not properly terminated... you can still use tho... get some AL solder and paste use something like Super 77 adhesive to bond the thicker oven type of AL foil to the interior. make each panel segment seperately. You would need to make a 'star type grounding wires... all wires come together to a central point which the main ground lead affixes to and the other ends attatch to each foil panel piece. When using AL flux you must rinse it throughly (w/ water) afterward because it's corrosive and will if not removed will eat into the metals over time. Once done apply a clear coat (spray paint will do) finish to lock out moisture.

Fine mesh (like screen door) Copper screening will also work very well... should shield upto 20gHz at least. WHat we used for our RF screen room in the USAF for communications band jamming transmitters

[TnT]

Originally posted by tjalfe
aluminum is conductive, and will work fine as a shield, but acrylic cases... I don't think they will pass an emissions test.
The shielding is not as much for shielding the parts from emissions from the outside, as it is to keep it from sending out emissions to the outside.

I thought one concern is stuff like speakers interferring.

[Greebe]

Originally posted by Helevitia
OK, I've been thinking about all of this. I mean, how much do I really need to worry? People us acrylic cases all of the time and put acrylic windows in the case. I don't see webistes, forums posts, reviews, editorials, etc... of people having problems with this kind of scenario. What is the bottom line here?

The bottom line is personal preference. While you can get away without and normally have no issues, I take a different stance on the issue... Man before technology was born into a world generally free of such non ionizing radiation and do wish to minimize the joe public guinea pig effect.

[Wombat]

If you're using this for home theatre or for music, you can get lots of noise in your audio/video.

[Greebe]

Originally posted by TnT
I thought one concern is stuff like speakers interferring.

Speakers won't cause issue and even if they weren't magnetically shielded would only cause gaussing if placed too close

[Helevitia]

Originally posted by Greebe
The bottom line is personal preference. While you can get away without and normally have no issues, I take a different stance on the issue... Man before technology was born into a world generally free of such non ionizing radiation and do wish to minimize the joe public guinea pig effect.

So what happens if I shield the front side(facing toward me) and the top, but not worry about the other sides? Is that good enough?

Dave

[Helevitia]

Originally posted by Greebe
Speakers won't cause issue and even if they weren't magnetically shielded would only cause gaussing if placed too close

What about my 22" CRT? Is that going to interfere with my setup? Will the setup interfere with my monitor?

[gt40]

I've got a testbench setup with a motherboard and storage devices laid on a piece of wood - used for mainly testing stuff, with a monitor adjacent to it.
Have had no probs what so-ever in 2 years.
Also, monitors are usually fairly well shielded themselves.
It's a good idea to have everything grounded though as Greebe has said - it will minimize any static damage.