In summary, we see that unwanted capacitive pickup is increased as
1. The input impedance of the instrument increases.
2. The capacitance between the interfering source and test lead increases.
3. The voltage between the interfering source and test lead increases.
4. The frequency of the voltage in the interfering source increases.
To prevent low-level signal sources and the wires that carry low-level voltage signals, from being influenced by capacitive effects, several courses of action are possible. The most common countermeasure is to surround such wires with an electrostatic shield. The shield consists of a metal enclosure surrounding the low-level signal source and a braided metal sleeve which surrounds the two test leads Fig. 16.4(a). This type of shielding is effective because external static electric fields cannot penetrate an enclosure surrounded by an electrical conductor. However, when the signal source is grounded at one end, the metal shield surrounding the test signal cable should also be connected to ground at the signal source ground point through a low-impedance path.This will ensure that the shield will remain at a potential very close to zero Fig. 16.4(b)].