What Is a PCB Shielding Can?
A PCB shielding can, also known as a board-level shield, is a metal enclosure soldered or attached directly to a printed circuit board (PCB) to form a mini Faraday cage around selected circuitry. These cans — available in one-piece or two-piece designs — connect to ground to reflect and absorb EMI, improving EMC and signal integrity. One-piece soldered cans offer high shielding effectiveness and mechanical rigidity, while two-piece versions support rework and inspection without desoldering.
What Is an EMI Shielding Can?
An EMI shielding can (or “shield can”) is a standalone metal enclosure placed over sensitive components on a PCB to block electromagnetic interference. Acting like a Faraday cage, it absorbs or reflects EMI into ground, protecting critical chips from external and internal noise. These cans can be designed for surface-mount or through-hole mounting, and may include vents or multi-cavity structures to balance shielding and thermal dissipation.
PCB Shielding Can vs. EMI Shielding Can
- Scope of Shielding: PCB cans typically focus on protecting individual regions or circuits on the board, while EMI shielding cans may cover larger assemblies or more generic components.
- Assembly Method: PCB cans are often soldered directly to the board, offering robust attachment and low impedance. EMI cans might use snap-on, clip, or solder attachment depending on serviceability or design constraints.
- Design Flexibility: One-piece PCB cans offer simplicity and compactness, but two-piece EMI cans allow for rework and repeated access.
- Shielding Efficiency: A fully soldered can provides excellent EMI attenuation, while modular EMI cans can be customized with cavity partitions, absorber inserts, or ventilation to balance EMC and thermal loads.
When are Shielding Cans the Best Choice?
- Rework is anticipated: ideal during prototyping or for field-serviceable products.
- EMI levels are high: for RF power amplifiers, switching regulators, and other noise-sensitive circuits.
- Mechanical robustness is required: in harsh or industrial environments like automotive or aerospace.
- Performance can’t be risked: when conformal coating’s variability may compromise EMI protection.
Combined thermal + EMI needs: when both heat dissipation and electromagnetic shielding must be addressed in one solution.
Advantages of Shielding Cans
Applications of Shielding Cans
What Is a PCB Shielding Can?
A PCB shielding can, also known as a board-level shield, is a metal enclosure soldered or attached directly to a printed circuit board (PCB) to form a mini Faraday cage around selected circuitry. These cans — available in one-piece or two-piece designs — connect to ground to reflect and absorb EMI, improving EMC and signal integrity. One-piece soldered cans offer high shielding effectiveness and mechanical rigidity, while two-piece versions support rework and inspection without desoldering.
What Is an EMI Shielding Can?
An EMI shielding can (or “shield can”) is a standalone metal enclosure placed over sensitive components on a PCB to block electromagnetic interference. Acting like a Faraday cage, it absorbs or reflects EMI into ground, protecting critical chips from external and internal noise. These cans can be designed for surface-mount or through-hole mounting, and may include vents or multi-cavity structures to balance shielding and thermal dissipation.
PCB Shielding Can vs. EMI Shielding Can
- Scope of Shielding: PCB cans typically focus on protecting individual regions or circuits on the board, while EMI shielding cans may cover larger assemblies or more generic components.
- Assembly Method: PCB cans are often soldered directly to the board, offering robust attachment and low impedance. EMI cans might use snap-on, clip, or solder attachment depending on serviceability or design constraints.
- Design Flexibility: One-piece PCB cans offer simplicity and compactness, but two-piece EMI cans allow for rework and repeated access.
- Shielding Efficiency: A fully soldered can provides excellent EMI attenuation, while modular EMI cans can be customized with cavity partitions, absorber inserts, or ventilation to balance EMC and thermal loads.
When are Shielding Cans the Best Choice?
- Rework is anticipated: ideal during prototyping or for field-serviceable products.
- EMI levels are high: for RF power amplifiers, switching regulators, and other noise-sensitive circuits.
- Mechanical robustness is required: in harsh or industrial environments like automotive or aerospace.
- Performance can’t be risked: when conformal coating’s variability may compromise EMI protection.
Combined thermal + EMI needs: when both heat dissipation and electromagnetic shielding must be addressed in one solution.
Advantages of Shielding Cans
Applications of Shielding Cans
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