where ρs and Js denote surface charge density and surface current density, respectively, and n2 is the outward normal from medium two. Of these four conditions, only two are independent. This is an overdetermined system of equations, so it needs to be reduced. First select either equation one or equation four. Then select either equation two or equation three. Together these selections form a set of two independent conditions.

A perfect conductor has infinite electrical conductivity and thus no internal electric field. Otherwise, it would produce an infinite current density according to the third fundamental constitutive relation. At an interface between a dielectric and a perfect conductor, the boundary conditions for the E and D fields are simplified. Assume that subscript 1 corresponds to a perfect conductor; then D1 = 0 and E1 = 0 in the relationships just given. If it is a time-varying case, then B1 = 0 and H1 = 0 as well, as a consequence of Maxwell’s equations. The result is the following set of boundary conditions for the fields in the dielectric medium for the time-varying case: