Air Vent Panels for RFI and EMI Shielding

Air Ventilation Panels for RFI/EMI Shielding

Aluminum Honeycomb Air Ventilation Panels consist of an aluminum honeycomb foil held in a rigid extruded aluminum mounting frame. The foil, formed and laminated into a series of honeycomb cells that are glued and perforated or laser welded at the joint, ensures a conductive path at each joint. TE offers Kemtron EMI Vent panels that are designed for use in electronic enclosures where good air flow is required for cooling and ventilation but where EMC compliance must be ensured.

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TE Connectivity manufactures a range of aluminum honeycomb air ventilation panels consisting of an aluminium honeycomb foil held in a rigid extruded aluminium mounting frame. The foil, formed and laminated into a series of honeycomb cells that are glued and perforated or laser welded at the join, ensures a conductive path at each join. Although the foil is conductive in all directions, to enhance EMI performance, two pieces of honeycomb polarised at 90° to each other are recommended. The frame can be supplied with an integral or separate EMI/RFI gasket, and can be treated with a variety of finishes to provide corrosion protection or improve conductivity.

How do honeycomb vents work

The principle is that of “waveguide beyond cutoff”. The honeycomb vent is series of tubes that acts as a waveguide, guiding electromagnetic waves into or out of the enclosure, but as the tubes are long enough then it attenuates those waves. Typically the tube should be at least 3 times as long as the diameter. Good practice is 4 times. Therefore a 3.18mm cell should be 12.7mm long. Honeycomb material is used because it offers high shielding performance, light weight and good airflow. A standard range of honeycomb vents are available, drawings and part numbers are shown at the end of this data sheet.

Features & Benefits

Honeycomb vent is series of tubes that acts as a waveguide, guiding electromagnetic waves into or out of the enclosure.
Offers high shielding performance, light weight and good airflow.
Consist of an aluminum honeycomb foil held in a rigid extruded aluminum mounting frame.
The foil, formed and laminated into a series of honeycomb cells that are glued and perforated or laser welded at the joint, ensures a conductive path at each joint.

Applications

Ventilation panels are designed for use in electronic enclosures where good air flow is required for cooling and ventilation but where EMC compliance must be ensured. Typical applications include: