Small Component, Big Impact

Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) is becoming increasingly important across all industries and can be found in many applications from control cabinets in machine and plant engineering to industrial robots and other automated technology. There are multiple reasons: electrical machines are being built to be more and more compact, they are working in closer proximity to each other and finally, they are performing increasingly complex tasks. As a result, the amount and speed of data being transmitted via the cabling is increasing as well as the required frequencies. This produces magnetic fields that cause interference currents and voltages – so-called EMC interference. The consequences of EMC interference range from error messages to problems with data transmission, and even machine failures in some cases.

To prevent this, designers of machines and plants develop customized grounding concepts. The discharge of unwanted currents and voltages is intended to minimize magnetic fields and ensure a failure-free operation. One small, inconspicuous component is particularly important for this: the grounding strap. It consists of a copper wire braid that connects the machine and/or system parts where magnetic fields can arise to a reference potential. This allows currents and voltages to flow away easily without affecting the EMC of the installation.