RFI shielding Basement

From: Truthan,Larry <truthanl_at_oclc.org>
Date: Mon Apr 23 16:15:48 2001

Clint,
 
Since your basement is already below grade it is not likely you would have
too much horizontally polarized RFI radiating from it. You might just
consider putting in a decorative tin cieling like in old 1890's vintage
saloons, The way the panels interlock might provide a good faraday shield
for vertically polarized radiated rf from the basement. It could be
electrically bonded and tied to waterpipes etc for a good ground.

How about fine metal screen stapled to the botton of open rafter/floor
joists. Perhaps you can find foil covered craft paper backed fiberglass
insulation, staple it up then bond the seams with 3M foil tape? This would
also dampen mechanical noise of a big iron system running. If not
insulation, the heaviest wide roll of tin foil. Overlap the seams and
staple up then cover with battens to accept acoustic tile cieling? Foil
Backed foam panels etc. See what other truly conductive building materials
you can find. They even make conductive paint these days. Your best value
will be in conventional conductive building materials, not specialized RFI
materials.

Usually door panels on computer cabinetry are gasketed with spring finger
stock to keep RFI leaks to a minimum, but usually there is close mesh and
larger grates on the top of machines to allow cooling by convection.

Sincerely Larry Truthan
Received on Mon Apr 23 2001 - 16:15:48 BST