Lightweight braided shielding for wiring harnesses

摘要

A lightweight braided metallic shielding is applied to wiring harnesses to protect against lightning strikes and electromagnetic interference (EMI). The braided shielding has an open braid construction which may be as much as 40% lighter in weight and which provides better electromagnetic shielding than conventional braided shielding. The decrease in weight is achieved by utilizing a braid carrier application angle, as measured from the axis of the wire harness, which is as small as about eighteen degrees, so as to produce a braided shield that has as few as four picks per inch. The ensuing braided shield is very flexible and results in a degree of wire harness coverage which may be as low as about 60%, but which exhibits low electrical resistance which contributes significantly to lightning protection and EMI shielding.