Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) shielding is a common concern in many vehicles, particularly today’s new cars, which feature significant electronic functions like GPS and self-driving functionality, coupled with Electric Vehicle (EV) technology and the accompanying power and battery requirements. 

EMI shielding aims to create electromagnetic immunity, protecting electronic equipment in the car from the challenges of electromagnetic interference. EMI can cause several problems, including damage to components, malfunctions, and errors in the equipment. EMI shielding helps minimize these problems by preventing interference from errant signals. 

How Does EMI Shielding Work?

There are many different ways to shield against EMI. One standard method is to use metal foil, metal screening, or metal plating. These types of shielding are used to prevent EMI emitted from the engine or other devices in the vehicle from reaching the electronic equipment. Another common type of EMI shielding is the Faraday cage. A Faraday cage is a metal enclosure that blocks EMI. 

Why Is EMI Shielding Important In Vehicles?

EMI shielding is vital in motor vehicles of all kinds because of the many electronic devices used in them. These devices include radios, navigation systems, and other electronics. EMI can cause these devices to malfunction or to produce incorrect information. EMI shielding helps protect these devices from the interference EMI can cause and is a common concern during many stages of vehicle design, engineering, and manufacturing.

How Efficient Is EMI Shielding?

EMI shielding is quite effective in protecting electronic devices from EMI. However, it does not stop all interference. EMI shielding reduces the amount of EMI that enters or transmits through a vehicle, which helps protect the electronic devices in the car from interference, which is integral to keeping vehicles’ electronic and electrical equipment running smoothly.

EMI Shielding in Electronic Vehicles (EV)

EMI shielding is significant in EV technology because of the increased use of electrical equipment over what’s used in conventional vehicles. EMI shielding helps minimize the interference caused by the extra electrical equipment, often cohabitating in closely-contained quarters, while also protecting the electric charging equipment.

Two types of EMI can be found in electric and hybrid electric vehicles (EVs). The most common is radiated EMI, which is caused by electrical current flowing through wires, circuits, and other electrical components in the car. The second type of EMI is conducted EMI caused by electrical current flowing through the car’s chassis. Shielding can help to prevent the spread of both types of EMI. Electromagnetic interference shielding can also isolate EMI between two separate systems. 

EMI Shielding is Critical to Vehicle Manufacturing

EMI shielding is a widespread practice in the automotive industry, helping to minimize EMI so that it doesn’t interfere with the electronic and electrical components of the car. It also helps protect these devices by limiting EMI entering or leaving the vehicle. EMI shielding protects vehicles’ electrically powered components and prevents potential malfunctions and incidents that would occur if EMI was allowed to reach critical components. It’s another tool to alleviate automotive performance and safety concerns.