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Automotive application guide

Electromagnetic shielding and electrical continuity

Modern vehicles include many electronic systems: sensors, ECUs, batteries, wiring harnesses, flexible printed circuits, driver-assistance systems and power modules. Some applications require electrostatic or electromagnetic shielding to limit interference and ensure electrical continuity.

DERFI Q0145U copper tape is designed for electrostatic shielding. Its data sheet specifies a 75 µm copper backing with UL510 conductive acrylic adhesive, used for wrapping cables, batteries, flexible printed circuits and winding operations in electronics, automotive and aerospace applications.

  • Provide electrostatic shielding
  • Wrap cables or batteries
  • Protect flexible printed circuits
  • Create electrical continuity
  • Limit certain electromagnetic interference
  • Meet automotive, electronics and aerospace requirements
Automotive electromagnetic shielding and electrical continuity
Application example: conductive shielding on a cable, wiring harness or electronic component.

Choose shielding according to the electrical area to be protected

Conductive shielding can protect a sensitive connection, reinforce electrical continuity or complement existing insulation. Depending on the environment, it can be combined with polyester, polyimide or glass-cloth insulation tapes.

Shielding sensitive cables and wiring harnesses

Some wiring harnesses close to electronic components, power modules or communication equipment may require protection against interference.

Copper tape can wrap a section of cable or harness to create a conductive barrier, reinforce existing shielding, create local electrical continuity or provide a local grounding point.

Shielding sensitive automotive cables and wiring harnesses
Risk to avoid Interference on a low-level signal, incomplete electrical continuity, disturbance near a power module, insufficient local shielding or an unprotected sensitive cable.
Examples of use
  • Wrap a sensitive cable with copper tape
  • Shield a connection near an electronic module
  • Protect a section of wiring harness exposed to interference
  • Create conductive continuity around a cable
  • Limit interference on a weak signal
  • Protect a wiring harness near a power system
  • Reinforce existing shielding in a localised area
  • Create a localised earth connection

Suitable DERFI products

Q0145U Q0145U 75 µm copper tape with UL510 conductive acrylic adhesive for shielding. L0103J L0103J Yellow polyester tape for supplementary insulation and visual identification. B0201M B0201M Polyimide tape for thin insulation and high-temperature protection. C0109B C0109B Glass-cloth tape for additional mechanical and thermal insulation.

Suitable DERFI machines

ZCM1000 / ZCM2000 ZCM1000 / ZCM2000 Cutting repeat lengths for cables and wiring harnesses. RT7700 RT7700 Fast dispensing of technical tapes at electrical workstations. DSH-MONO DSH-MONO Application of single-sided tapes with release liner depending on configuration.
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Protection of flexible printed circuits

Flexible printed circuits or flat electronic components may require conductive protection or electrical continuity in certain areas.

Copper shielding can be used to protect a track, create a local conductive connection, reinforce electrical continuity or protect a compact module. It can be combined with polyester or polyimide insulation tape depending on thermal or electrical constraints.

Protection of automotive flexible printed circuits
Risk to avoid Unprotected conductive area, insufficient electrical continuity, parasitic contact, lack of supplementary insulation or a sensitive component exposed to interference.
Examples of use
  • Protect a track or conductive area
  • Shield a flexible printed circuit
  • Create a local conductive connection
  • Protect a compact electronic module
  • Reinforce electrical continuity on a sensor
  • Provide protection around a sensitive component
  • Combine copper shielding and polyester insulation
  • Prepare an electrical contact area before assembly

Suitable DERFI products

Q0145U Q0145U Conductive copper tape for shielding and local electrical continuity. B0201M B0201M Polyimide tape for supplementary high-temperature insulation alongside shielding. L0104T L0104T Transparent polyester tape for protection and insulation in electronic areas. L0103J L0103J Yellow polyester tape for identification and supplementary insulation.

Suitable DERFI machines

ZCM1000 / ZCM2000 ZCM1000 / ZCM2000 Preparation of precise strips for boards and flexible circuits. RT7700 RT7700 Fast dispensing of technical tapes in electronics workshops. ZCM1100 / ZCM2200 ZCM1100 / ZCM2200 Safe cutting for sensitive electronics workstations.
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Shielding batteries and electrical modules

Batteries, packs, modules and electrical subassemblies may require conductive protection, identification or supplementary insulation depending on the environment.

Copper tape can create electrical continuity around a component or subassembly, while polyimide, polyester or glass-cloth tapes can supplement protection with thermal, mechanical or visual insulation.

Shielding automotive batteries and electrical modules
Risk to avoid Incomplete electrical continuity, exposed conductive area, unprotected sensitive module, lack of adjacent insulation or insufficient identification of a technical area.
Examples of use
  • Wrap a battery or module
  • Protect a contact or connection area
  • Create electrical continuity around a component
  • Combine copper shielding and insulation tape
  • Protect an onboard electrical subassembly
  • Maintain a conductive area during assembly
  • Insulate an adjacent area after shielding
  • Identify a technical area with coloured tape

Suitable DERFI products

Q0145U Q0145U Conductive copper tape for electrostatic shielding. B0201M B0201M Polyimide tape for supplementary high-temperature insulation. L0103J L0103J Yellow polyester tape for insulation and visual identification. C0109B C0109B Glass-cloth tape for supplementary mechanical insulation.

Suitable DERFI machines

ZCM1000 / ZCM2000 ZCM1000 / ZCM2000 Cutting repeat lengths for modules and subassemblies. RT7700 RT7700 Fast dispensing of technical tapes at the workstation. DSH-MONO DSH-MONO Application of technical tapes according to configuration.
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Use case overview

Electrical insulation and protection

Key points for consumables

  • Q0145U is suitable for electrostatic shielding, electrical continuity, cables, batteries and flexible printed circuits.
  • B0201M is suitable for additional high-temperature insulation in electronic environments.
  • L0103J provides insulation and visual identification of technical areas.
  • L0104T is useful for transparent protection and insulation of electronic areas.
  • C0109B meets requirements for additional mechanical and thermal insulation.

Key points for workstation organisation

  • ZCM1000 / ZCM2000 cuts repeated lengths for cables, wiring harnesses, modules and circuits.
  • RT7700 speeds up technical tape dispensing in electrical or electronics workshops.
  • ZCM1100 / ZCM2200 provides safe cutting at sensitive workstations.
  • DSH-MONO can be used depending on the presence of a protective liner or release liner on the tape.