How are LuxVu ECTC’s better than Knitted or Woven Mesh Screens?

Since there a few options available for EMI shielding window applications, it is important to know their differences. The obvious main difference between an electrically conductive transparent coating (ECTC) and knitted or woven wire mesh screens is that the ECTC does not have wires. Wires make an excellent conductive dB shield, but are not transparent and thus detract from the overall optical transparency of the EMI shielding window.

When determining what kind of EMI shielding window is needed for an application, it is important to know what that application’s highest threat frequency is. The highest threat frequency is defined to be the highest frequency that creates a concern for equipment degradation or application failure. Once the highest threat frequency is determined then you can establish which kinds of EMI shielding windows are appropriate for the application. Generally speaking, woven wire mesh screens have the highest dB shielding effectiveness for any given threat frequency. Electrically conductive transparent coatings, are often considered to be slightly less effective. Knitted wire mesh screens are generally considered to have the least dB shielding effectiveness. The dB shielding effectiveness for each wire mesh screen is adjusted slightly through varying the diameter of the wires and/or the openings per inch. You can also vary the dB shielding effectiveness of an ECTC by changing the thicknesses and types of coating material.

The next thing that must be taken into account is the required optical transmission for a given application. Knitted wire mesh screens are considered to be fairly optically transmissive due to the large openings between the wires, while woven wire mesh screens are typically less optically transmissive because of their many tightly woven wires. An ECTC’s optical transmission quality is not determined by numbers of wires, but thickness of the coating as well as the specific material used in the coating and manner in which it is applied. An associated concern is the moiré effect associated with wire mesh screens. In applications that utilize moderate to high resolution displays, the wire mesh screens create a visual effect where the wires overlap the lines in the display and create areas of darkness. These areas appear in a pattern and can adversely affect the application. ECTC’s do not have wires and therefore do not create this moiré effect, nor do they require special attention to align the EMI shielding window to reduce the effect.

LuxVu IMITO EMI shielding window coatings further add to the advantage that ECTC’s have by being custom made to specific applications. This allows for greater control and adherence to demanding specifications. With the ability to dictate the thickness and specific material used in these custom IMITO coatings, particularly specific and demanding application specifications can be met with considerable attention to quality.

For more information about LuxVu IMITO EMI shielding windows for displays please call 800.426.2864 or email us.

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This entry was posted by ZC&R, on Thursday, August 20th, 2009 at 2:00 pm and is filed under Optical Applications, Optical Coatings. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response below.