Shielding Circuits from EMP

Abstract

It is generally impractical to filter low-frequency electromagnetic pulse (EMP) signals from victim circuits. Twisting signal pair conductors is helpful but often results in insufficient isolation. The remainder must be provided by shielding. Highly permeable ferritic materials have generally been found to provide maximum shielding from low-frequency magnetic fields. It is shown that this may not be the case when the signal source is relatively distant from the shield. With large separation, there appears to be a greatly increased mismatch between the wave impedance at the shield and the intrinsic impedance of the metal. This results in much greater reflection of the impinging wave than occurs for the same signal strength with small source to shield separation. The mismatch is greatest with a highly conductive shield material. All common highly permeable materials have low relative conductivity. High permeability does not improve the shielding effectiveness at low audio frequencies because no significant attenuation occurs as the wave passes through the shield. It is concluded that materials such as copper or aluminum are logical choices for shielding circuits from distant, high-intensity, low-frequency EMP.