Compass module shielding

[camerart]

Hi,
I'm using an AK8963C compass chip on a breakout board.

I'm getting errors, that possibly could be caused by inteference, and I want to know if shielding is normally used, and can a Compass chip be used inside a Faraday cage?
Cheers,
Camerart

 

[Ian Rogers]

I'm getting errors, that possibly could be caused by inteference, and I want to know if shielding is normally used, and can a Compass chip be used inside a Faraday cage?

Not really.... Anything metal within 150mm affects the reading... If it were permanent, you could calibrate it in..

 

[Externet]

What metal would your Faraday cage be made of ? Copper, aluminium, iron, ... ?

 

[camerart]

Not really.... Anything metal within 150mm affects the reading... If it were permanent, you could calibrate it in..

Hi I and E,
These modules are 1.6x1.6mm on a 10x25mm PCB. I was thinking about insulating them, then sticking copper tape over them, and grounding it to the bottom GND of the PCB.

I used to 'do' a demonstration in an electric museum, where a round magnet was dropped down a tube of plastic, and it dropped straight through. Then drop the same magnet down a copper tube and it took much longer to arrive.

If I 'did' the tape thing, then calibrate it, would it then be protected from electrical interference and capacitance (the signal changes when a hand is near)?
C.

 

[Nigel Goodwin]

I used to 'do' a demonstration in an electric museum, where a round magnet was dropped down a tube of plastic, and it dropped straight through. Then drop

I've got a terrible urge to go and find some pipe?

 

[camerart]

I've got a terrible urge to go and find some pipe?

Hi N,
Go Go Go, it's where you left it
C

 

[camerart]

Hi,
As a matter of interest 'hopefully'

If a copper disc is spun within a magnetic field, then this will generate a voltage.

The reverse is also true: If an AC current is is used with an electro magnet, then the disc will spin, as in electric meters.

I had a gramophone with this type of motor, now in the Wantage museum.
C

 

[rjenkinsgb]

The reverse is also true: If an AC current is is used with an electro magnet, then the disc will spin, as in electric meters.

Only if it has a shading band or coil on the pole piece, to add a rotational element. They are called "shaded pole motors".

https://www.electrical4u.com/images/january16/1452749899.jpg

https://circuitglobe.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/shaded-pole-induction-motor-fig.jpg

Back to the original question - a non-ferrous screen around the compass element should reduce electrical interference from other things without affecting the compass itself.

Copper or aluminium foil or fine mesh should work.

 

[camerart]

Only if it has a shading band or coil on the pole piece, to add a rotational element. They are called "shaded pole motors".

https://www.electrical4u.com/images/january16/1452749899.jpg

https://circuitglobe.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/shaded-pole-induction-motor-fig.jpg

Back to the original question - a non-ferrous screen around the compass element should reduce electrical interference from other things without affecting the compass itself.

Copper or aluminium foil or fine mesh should work.

Hi R,
Thanks for the clarity, I'll add a cage if needed.
C.

 

[gary350]

I use a compass to aim my TV antenna in the correct direction according to TVFool. A cheep $1 compass causes me less trouble than a expensive compass. The expensive compass picks up metal so easy I need to be 20 ft away from all metal to get a good reading. $1 compass works fine 8 ft from metal antenna. If your compass chip sensitivity can be reduced it might work better.

 

[camerart]

I use a compass to aim my TV antenna in the correct direction according to TVFool. A cheep $1 compass causes me less trouble than a expensive compass. The expensive compass picks up metal so easy I need to be 20 ft away from all metal to get a good reading. $1 compass works fine 8 ft from metal antenna. If your compass chip sensitivity can be reduced it might work better.

Hi G,
I'll check the settings.

It has a calibration routine, that should correct for stationary ferrous items.
C