What is Conductive Coupling?
Editorial Team - EMC Directory
Conductive coupling occurs when two conductors come into direct contact or are connected by a conductive material such as metal. In this case, unwanted electrical signals can be transferred from one conductor to the other, resulting in interference. Conductive coupling can be mitigated by using shielding materials and proper grounding techniques.
Capacitive coupling: Capacitive coupling occurs when two conductive materials are separated by an insulating material (also called a dielectric), such as air, plastic, or ceramic. When an AC voltage is applied to one conductor, it generates an electric field that extends to the other conductor through the dielectric, causing a voltage to be induced on the second conductor. This type of coupling is often seen in situations where the conductors are close together, such as in printed circuit boards (PCBs) and cables.
Direct coupling: Direct coupling, also known as galvanic coupling, occurs when two conductors are directly connected, such as through a wire, trace, or metal structure. In this case, electrical signals can be conducted from one conductor to another. Direct coupling is often seen in applications where high currents are involved, such as in power distribution systems and motor control circuits.