Faraday Cage: Thickness of the conductor

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the effectiveness of a Faraday Cage in blocking external electric fields and the influence of the conductor's thickness on this ability. Participants explore the relationship between conductor thickness, electromagnetic wave blocking, and static electric field shielding, with references to practical applications and theoretical considerations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether the thickness of the conductor affects the Faraday Cage's ability to block external electric fields and seeks clarification on any limits to this thickness.
  • Another participant references external links related to Faraday Cage construction and effectiveness.
  • A participant reiterates the initial question about the thickness of the conductor and emphasizes that a shielding enclosure should be a few skin depths thick at the required frequency, noting that holes must be small compared to the wavelength.
  • It is pointed out that a static electric field can be blocked by a continuous conductor of practically any thickness, but the construction of the screen may depend on the current flow through it.
  • Participants discuss the complications introduced by AC electric fields, highlighting that changing electric fields also produce changing magnetic fields, which may affect shielding effectiveness.
  • One participant suggests that a more detailed description of the situation and environment is necessary for a more precise answer.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the relationship between conductor thickness and the ability to block electric fields, with some focusing on static fields while others consider electromagnetic waves. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the specifics of how thickness impacts shielding effectiveness.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention skin depth and the importance of hole size in relation to wavelength, indicating that the effectiveness of a Faraday Cage may depend on frequency and environmental conditions. There are unresolved aspects regarding the interaction of AC fields and the construction of the cage.

obider77
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
So i have learned about the ability of Faraday Cage for blocking an external electric field. But is the thickness of the conductor effect the ability? Is there any limit of its thickness so that the cage won't be able to block external electric field anymore? I have read and searched about this topic but i haven't found anything for this, mostly i found about Faraday Cage ability to block electromagnetic wave. Can anyone please help? Thank you
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
obider77 said:
So i have learned about the ability of Faraday Cage for blocking an external electric field. But is the thickness of the conductor effect the ability? Is there any limit of its thickness so that the cage won't be able to block external electric field anymore? I have read and searched about this topic but i haven't found anything for this, mostly i found about Faraday Cage ability to block electromagnetic wave. Can anyone please help? Thank you
A shielding enclosure needs to be a few skin depths in thickness at the required frequency and any holes in the cage need to be small compared with the wavelength. Even a narrow slit like a knife cut will allow waves to enter unhindered.
 
tech99 said:
A shielding enclosure needs to be a few skin depths in thickness at the required frequency and any holes in the cage need to be small compared with the wavelength. Even a narrow slit like a knife cut will allow waves to enter unhindered.
I guess you are talking about blocking an electromagnetic wave, not electric field itself
 
A static electric field will be blocked by a continuous conductor of practically any thickness.
But how that screen is constructed will depend to some extent on how much current will continue to flow through the screen.
If there is any AC electric field component, then things get more difficult. That is because every electric field that changes will also have a changing magnetic field.
You need to better describe the situation and environment if you want a better answer.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
17K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
4K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
6K
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
2K
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
14K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
4K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
5K