What are shielded cabinets and enclosures?

Imagine that in your company, computer equipment suddenly stops working or servers start losing data, and the cause is neither a virus nor human error — but something invisible, something that interferes with electronics. We are talking about electromagnetic interference, or EMI, and electromagnetic pulses, or EMP. Although it sounds a bit like something out of a science fiction movie, unfortunately, it is an increasingly real problem.

EMI is like "noise" in the air that can cause problems with electronics — sometimes it is a strong radio field from a nearby transmitter, sometimes "interference" from industrial machines. EMP, on the other hand, is something much more dangerous — a powerful pulse that can destroy equipment over a large area, for example after a nuclear explosion or an electronic attack.

Why is this so important? Because our lives and businesses increasingly rely on electronic equipment and computer networks. When they stop working, it can lead to serious losses — data loss, production downtime, and even safety risks.

That is why shielded cabinets were created — special metal "armor" that protects equipment from this invisible threat. In the following sections of this article, I will show what such cabinets are, how they work, and where they are really needed.

What are shielded cabinets and how do they work?

If you work with electronics or servers, you are surely familiar with standard rack cabinets — these are the metal frames that allow you to conveniently store IT equipment in one place. Shielded rack cabinets are their "armored" version, designed to effectively protect the contents from harmful electromagnetic interference.

How does it work? Imagine a shielded cabinet as a type of Faraday cage — a metal enclosure that blocks electromagnetic waves from entering. The entire structure is made of conductive materials, often with additional layers of special coatings or meshes that create a barrier against EMI and EMP. It's a bit like an umbrella that protects equipment from an "electronic rain."

Thanks to this protection, devices inside the cabinet can operate stably, without the risk of sudden interference or damage. These cabinets often also feature shielded inlets and filters that protect signals and power, as even the cables entering and leaving the cabinet can be an "entry point" for interference.

In practice, this means that shielded cabinets allow companies and institutions to operate more safely, especially where even a short interruption or data loss can cause significant problems.

Where and when is it worth using shielded cabinets and enclosures?

Shielded cabinets are not only specialized equipment for large data centers or military installations — their use is much broader and increasingly necessary in various industries.

Data centers are one of the first places where such protection is worth implementing. Data is today the most valuable asset, and any equipment failure caused by electromagnetic interference can result in downtime, data loss, and even huge financial losses. Shielded cabinets ensure that servers and network devices operate stably, without the risk of external interference.

In laboratories and research centers, this is also crucial. Precision measurement and research equipment are extremely sensitive to even small electromagnetic pulses, which can disturb results or damage equipment.

We must not forget the military and government sector, where information security and continuity of equipment operation are of utmost importance. There, shielded cabinets and enclosures are standard, protecting against EMI and EMP attacks and securing critical infrastructure.

Finally, many industrial plants use electronic tools and control systems that operate in harsh electromagnetic conditions. Shielded cabinets help protect these systems and maintain production without unplanned interruptions.

Shielded cabinets are a solution that is gaining popularity wherever it is important not only to store equipment but also to protect it from invisible yet dangerous interference.

Where shielded cabinets and enclosures are used – practical applications

Shielded cabinets are no longer just a specialized solution for selected industries — today, they are increasingly used in various places where protection of equipment from electromagnetic interference is critical.

Data centers are places where equipment stability and data protection are extremely important. EMI interference can cause server errors or even damage, leading to downtime and financial losses. Thanks to shielded rack cabinets, companies protect their resources from unwanted external influences.

In laboratories and research facilities, precision is paramount. Even small electromagnetic pulses can disturb measurements or the operation of sensitive devices, so shielded enclosures are often standard there as well.

Equally important are applications in the military and government sector, where information of critical importance is protected. Here, shielded cabinets act as protective Faraday cages, securing equipment against EMP attacks and interference.

In industry, where electronics control production processes, resistance to interference ensures continuity of operations. Shielded cabinets protect control systems and industrial computers, minimizing the risk of failures.

Shielding levels of cabinets and enclosures – how to choose the right protection?

When choosing a shielded cabinet or enclosure, it is worth paying attention to the level of electromagnetic interference attenuation that a given model offers. This parameter indicates how effectively the cabinet will protect equipment from harmful EMI and EMP.

In practice, at least two basic protection levels are distinguished:

Level 1 is shielding based on standard cabinets, enhanced with special shielding materials. This model is an excellent choice when you need solid, basic protection — it can reduce interference impact up to 10,000 times (attenuation of about 40 dB). This solution is suitable for less demanding environments where the risk of strong pulses is moderate, but protection is still necessary.

Level 2 is a much higher standard, often based on building the enclosure or cabinet from scratch. Such a solution can achieve attenuation levels exceeding 100 dB, providing protection even against very strong and aggressive EMI and EMP pulses. These solutions are used where maximum reliability and security matter — for example, in the military, government agencies, or large data centers.

It is worth noting that shielding parameters are usually verified under laboratory conditions, providing confidence that the cabinet will meet requirements even in harsh environments.

In summary, choosing the appropriate shielding level should depend on the specific environment and the risk associated with interference. A properly selected shielded cabinet is an investment in equipment safety and system operation continuity.

Conclusion

Shielded cabinets and enclosures are an effective solution for protecting electronic equipment from electromagnetic interference (EMI) and electromagnetic pulses (EMP), which are becoming an increasing threat in modern IT and industrial environments. Thanks to special materials and construction, they act like a Faraday cage, blocking harmful pulses and ensuring stable device operation.

The applications of such cabinets are very broad — from data centers, through laboratories, to military and industrial sectors, where equipment reliability is a priority. Selecting the appropriate shielding level allows protection to be tailored to specific needs and risks in a given environment.

Investing in a shielded cabinet or enclosure ensures that your data and equipment will remain safe even in the face of the growing threat of electromagnetic interference.