Shield speaker magnet from activating reed

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Harvey Sherma
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Magnet Shield Speaker
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion focuses on the challenge of preventing a speaker's magnet from activating a reed switch in model trains. Participants explore potential materials and methods for shielding the speaker magnet to avoid unintended activation of the switch.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Harvey describes the issue of a speaker magnet activating a reed switch and seeks a thin material to block or weaken the magnetic field.
  • One participant suggests using a ferrous material, like iron, to deflect the magnetic field and proposes creating a box-like shield around the speaker.
  • Harvey questions whether the iron used for shielding would become magnetized over time.
  • Another participant shares their experience using a peach can as a shield for a subwoofer, noting its effectiveness in blocking magnetic interference.
  • There is a caution that ordinary iron is unlikely to become strongly magnetized, but the importance of having sides on the shield is emphasized.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants have differing views on the best materials and methods for shielding the speaker magnet, with no consensus reached on a definitive solution.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved questions regarding the long-term effects of using iron as a shielding material and the specific properties of various materials discussed.

Harvey Sherma
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
My question pertains to model trains. I use a magnet under my last car to activate computer commands via a reed switch. One locomotive has a speaker placed near the bottom and the magnet of the speaker activates the reed switch - which I don't want it to do. One thought to correct this is to place a thin substance under the locomotive, between the speaker and the reed, this substance would block/distort/weaken the magnetic strength. It would need to be thin. Is there such a material. I tried aluminum paper but that did not work.

Thanks,

Harvey
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Harvey Sherma said:
My question pertains to model trains. I use a magnet under my last car to activate computer commands via a reed switch. One locomotive has a speaker placed near the bottom and the magnet of the speaker activates the reed switch - which I don't want it to do. One thought to correct this is to place a thin substance under the locomotive, between the speaker and the reed, this substance would block/distort/weaken the magnetic strength. It would need to be thin. Is there such a material. I tried aluminum paper but that did not work.

Thanks,

Harvey

It needs to be ferrous (like iron) in order to deflect/route the magnetic field.

Try bending a flat piece of iron so that it forms a 4-sided box around your speaker. Drill holes in the diaphram side of the iron strip before you bend it around the speaker. This will divert the external magnetic field lines closer to the speaker, instead of letting them spray out farther where they can affect your reed switch. Try to use the thickest iron strip you can, to avoid having it saturate from the magnetic field so close to the speaker magnet.
 
KI6EGL

Thanks for the quick reply. One question I have regarding iron is whether this would eventually become magnetized?

Harvey
 
i used a peach can to shield a subwoofer that was making my TV screen purple.
It was just right diameter to go around the speaker magnet. I cut it tall enough to cover the exposed part of the speaker magnet's bottom and sides.



Ordinary iron won't become strongly magnetized. But i think you want sides on your shield ,as Berkeman suggested.

Many cans are aluminum these days- check with a refrigerator magnet.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
5K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
Replies
8
Views
4K
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
9K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
10K
Replies
12
Views
4K