Where it earns its place
Best-Fit Uses
Electronics enclosure seams
Maintains conductive contact between panels across normal manufacturing and assembly variation.
Connector and grounding interfaces
Provides compliant contact around shells, channels or removable covers.
Applying force around a circular interface
Provides distributed contact around a seal, groove or connector instead of pushing at one point.
Maintaining contact as diameter changes
Useful where a circular part must keep touching despite normal movement, wear or tolerance variation.
Why this style works here
What This Spring Style Solves
The spring follows normal gap variation while maintaining multiple contact points, helping the shielding or grounding path remain continuous after repeated opening and closing.
Before you choose it
What to Confirm in Your Assembly
- Provide the joint or groove geometry and the minimum and maximum assembled gap.
- State the electrical purpose, mating materials, surface finishes and expected number of service openings.
- Provide the installed diameter and groove or seal geometry, including tolerances.
- State whether the spring works radially, axially, electrically or as a latch/detent.
- Define the desired contact, insertion or sealing force in the actual installed condition.
Avoid forcing the wrong spring into the design
When Another Spring Style May Fit Better
Higher spring force does not automatically mean better shielding. Surface films, plating compatibility, contact spacing and closure force all influence the electrical interface.
- Canted coil springs for circular grounding interfaces
- Conductive elastomer gaskets for broad sealed joints
- Flat spring contacts for localized grounding points
Keep material selection separate
Environment & Material Direction
For seals and electrical contacts, the surrounding media and mating surfaces can drive material or plating choices. Use the Materials section for the base alloy and include interface finishes in the RFQ.
Move from the use case to the specification
Where to Go Next
Application questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an EMI spring selected only by the physical gap?
No. Gap matters, but electrical contact quality, surface finish, contact spacing, corrosion and acceptable closure force also affect the shielding interface.
Why is groove geometry so important for circular springs?
The groove controls installed deflection and contact with the mating part. Small changes in depth, width or diameter can change sealing, contact or latching force even when the spring itself is unchanged.
What should I send for an application review?
Send the assembly drawing or a clear sketch, the working positions, the force or torque you need, expected cycles, environment and quantity. If an existing spring is being replaced, include its dimensions and explain what is not working well in the current design.
Same application family