Perforated metal is being used to enclose electrical devices to attenuate the EMI/RFI radiation they emit and to ventilate them at the same time. Many questions have been asked about which perforated patterns should be used to satisfy both of these design requirements and the shielding effectiveness of various perforated patterns and materials. To answer these questions, the I.P.A. contracted with Intertek Testing Services, testing laboratories in Boxborough, MA to evaluate the shielding effectiveness of 16 perforation and material combinations at 9 frequency levels. The results of these tests with descriptions of the test samples and the frequencies tested are shown in the charts to follow. Results have been expressed in dB of Shielding Attenuation and in % of Attenuation. Details of the tests are available from the I.P.A.

The test results show that a Shielding Effectiveness of 40 dB provides 99,000% attenuation of the electromagnetic (EMI/RFI) radiation while a Shielding Effectiveness of 40 dB is the targeted minimum in most applications. Very effective shielding was provided by most samples up to frequencies of 7 GHz. Above that frequency, some of the samples dropped below 99.000% effective even at the highest frequency level of 10 GHz. The obvious conclusion to be reached is that there are many perforated patterns that designers can choose from to meet their design requirements.

The largest single source of leakage is along contact surfaces between two parts. If a tightly sealed electrical connection is not made, the leakage through the interface can be greater than through the structure.

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Strength of perforated metal.

Elastic properties of perforated metal.

How perforated metals are used in acoustics.

EMI shielding effectiveness of perforated metals.

Pressure loss through perforated plate (air).

Pressure loss through perforated plate (fluid).

Flatness tolerances.