Steel, aluminium or copper?

Reverberation Chambers are made from different materials that influence performance and price. In this post, our reverberation expert, Dimitrios Barakos, and the EMC Solution Specialist at Rohde & Schwarz, Martin Randrup Villadsen, explain the key factors to consider when choosing the best materials for your testing solution.

Dimitrios Barakos: “Generally, we work with three kinds of chamber construction metal: steel, aluminium and copper. The latter is the most expensive but also offers the best performance in terms of electric field strength. Therefore, copper is only used in high-demanding chambers for the military, for example. But the best choice of material also depends on the amplifier power”.

Martin Randrup: “And that’s where we come in, and that is also why there must be a tight cooperation and dialogue between Comtest and Rohde & Schwarz while preparing a solution for our clients. An aluminium reverberation chamber might be more expensive than a steel one. Still, because of the higher achieved fields, the cost reduction from the amplifier can lead to a more cost-efficient solution.”

Dimitrios: “When we get each customer’s request, I try to optimise the RVC design as much as possible for their specific requirements. As Martin says, teaming up with him regularly helps us to be more efficient in a long-term design solution for our clients.”

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A shielded room can perform conducted emission and immunity EMC measurements, eliminating harmful external influences, leading to more accurate and consistent test results. Being a Faraday cage, a shielded room will not only improve test results but will also form an excellent aid in protecting information and essential hardware. Comtest can assist governments, the military, financial institutions, and large corporations in protecting what matters most in critical situations. We offer the highest quality, sensitivity, and security before, during and after working with you.

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Comtest has been building high-quality antenna test ranges for more than 20 years. We are dedicated to putting our experience to work for you, turning any problem you might have into a customized test solution. As for researching and developing your products, we know speed and return on investment are very important. That’s why we ensure your project is delivered on schedule, on budget and exactly as ordered.

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Comtest offers semi and full anechoic chambers that shield almost 100% of ambient emissions and reflect minimal internal radiation. We deliver or build your custom test chamber at your location, depending on what size chamber you need. If you tell us your challenges, we’ll offer a tailored turnkey solution from design to installation, including upgrades and yearly certifications.

We are committed to helping you achieve the best EMC testing possible.