Copper tape atop IC's?

nonsub · 30th January 2010, 05:28 AM

I was looking at some pics of modded equipment. One fellow seemed to like to put copper tape on top of all IC's, wire them to eachother (and assumedly tie to digital ground.) Is this know to actually do anything? Thanks!

Groundloops · 30th January 2010, 06:56 AM

It may shield some RF emission or irridation.

infinia · 30th January 2010, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmellOfPoo

It may shield some RF emission or irridation.

Or make it worse esp if not grounded really well. LOL
If you polish it up it looks real purty tho

DigitalJunkie · 30th January 2010, 07:24 AM

I've done that on some RF equipment to improve stability,and 'clean up' some digital noise..It helps. One drawback with RF circuitry,is that it can change the stray capacitance,and de-tune things slightly,so you might need to compensate.

infinia · 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DigitalJunkie

I've done that on some RF equipment to improve stability,and 'clean up' some digital noise..It helps. One drawback with RF circuitry,is that it can change the stray capacitance,and de-tune things slightly,so you might need to compensate.

But I hope you were staring at a spectrum analyzer when you tried it. LOL Adding metal on a digital section in my experience has never made anything better, it usually involved cutting.
Besides applying RF bandaid's are just used for discovering the true cause of a bigger issue best solved by other means. I don't think anyone can say in their right mind, by globally sticking random pieces of foil atop IC's will be an improvement, sorry.

EDIT>Thermally it would make it worse than just basic black plastic.

wwenze · 30th January 2010, 09:34 AM

What about sticking blu-tacks?

nonsub · 30th January 2010, 01:56 PM

Do the tuning dots go under on on top of the copper then LMFAO

wwenze · 30th January 2010, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nonsub

Do the tuning dots go under on on top of the copper then LMFAO

Uh oh... looks like they didn't account for compatibility.

But since everything that can be done will increase sound quality, I guess either way is fine.

RichLund · 30th January 2010, 07:40 PM

Is it to provide a heatsink. Grounded to dissipate any accumulated charge?

EC8010 · 1st February 2010, 07:50 AM

It's to provide an electrostatic screen against all the clattering going on inside the IC. But to be effective, it needs a low inductance path to ground, and that means it needs to bond directly to a ground plane at each end of the IC.

30th January 2010, 05:28 AM	#1
nonsub diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2010	Copper tape atop IC's? I was looking at some pics of modded equipment. One fellow seemed to like to put copper tape on top of all IC's, wire them to eachother (and assumedly tie to digital ground.) Is this know to actually do anything? Thanks!

1st February 2010, 07:50 AM	#10
EC8010 diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Near London. UK	It's to provide an electrostatic screen against all the clattering going on inside the IC. But to be effective, it needs a low inductance path to ground, and that means it needs to bond directly to a ground plane at each end of the IC. __________________ The loudspeaker: The only commercial Hi-Fi item where a disproportionate part of the budget isn't spent on the box. And the one where it would make a difference...

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30th January 2010, 06:56 AM	#2
Groundloops I´m amazed! diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Hamburg / Northern Germany	It may shield some RF emission or irridation.

30th January 2010, 07:24 AM	#4
DigitalJunkie diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Portland,Oregon Blog Entries: 4	I've done that on some RF equipment to improve stability,and 'clean up' some digital noise..It helps. One drawback with RF circuitry,is that it can change the stray capacitance,and de-tune things slightly,so you might need to compensate.

30th January 2010, 09:34 AM	#6
wwenze diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2008	What about sticking blu-tacks?

30th January 2010, 01:56 PM	#7
nonsub diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2010	Do the tuning dots go under on on top of the copper then LMFAO

30th January 2010, 07:40 PM	#9
RichLund diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Shropshire, UK	Is it to provide a heatsink. Grounded to dissipate any accumulated charge?

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