Methode is offers its new EMC Compliance Kit containing a wide selection of its EMC shrinkMate heat shrink tubing. This kit allows EMC testing facilities--both independent and in-house--to quickly and easily construct connector and cable assemblies with a high degree of EMI/RFI and ESD shielding.

EMC shrinkMate is MIL-standard R-46846 heat shrink polyolefin tubing coated on the inside with Methode's exclusive Polymer Thick Film silver ink. This product provides a complete 360o circumferential shield around the connector and the shielded cable, thereby eliminating a significant source of EMC leakage from the cable assembly. And unlike ferrite beads, EMC shrinkMate is effective in reducing both ingress and egress of EMI/RFI, as well as reducing the penetration of external contaminants such as dust, moisture or oil.

Because EMC shrinkMate requires no soldering, coaxial cable butt joints and cable-to-connector housing joints can be made quickly and easily. It also eliminates most of the problems normally associated with providing an EMI/RFI/ESD shield between solderable and non-solderable surfaces such as stamped metal, plated finishes and shielding paints.

The EMC Compliance Kit consists of a selection of six-inch lengths of EMC shrinkMate shielded heat shrink tubing with inside diameters of 1/4-inch, 3/8-inch, 1/2-inch, 3/4-inch, and 1-inch. Once prototype or pilot production connector or cable assemblies have been fabricated and tested using the samples in the kit, production quantities of the tubing can be ordered as needed. When used in production, EMC shrinkMate offers considerable manufacturing cost savings by eliminating soldering and facilitating overmolding.