EMP Protected cabinet / box idea...

[Shymatty]

I don't know if someone has thought of this before but its certainly somthing that I would consider.

If your had a small metal footlocker or box that you lined with metal mesh to construct a faraday cage to protect against an EMP, you could "plug" the box in.

What I mean is provide the means of earth using your home's wiring system. If you connected the metal mesh / box to the earth conductor of a piece of flex (ensure the live and neutral conductors were trimmed off or terminated SAFELY) and the wire the other end into 13amp plug (and once again either trimming off the live and neutral conductors or taping them up SAFELY) you could then plug the box in to provide an earth to your faraday cage?

This means you could keep the cage in a place that is move convienient to you and you emergency plans?

Would this work? Do anyone see any issues with this?

Could be handy for putting my "on call" work mobile inside when at home

[desertman]

There are simpler options, but when the EMP strikes I would not worry too much, 90% of all electronics would be fried, and unless your work has protected similar components, basically. all knacked!!..no sats, no relay masts no signals - zilch...best to get your stove or other alternate heat/light prepped up and 'sit it out'..

[Shymatty]

So other people with Faraday cages wont have working radios then??

Personally I think any other well prepared people will have protected their radios etc and it may be a great benefit to you to be able to contact those people.
It could be other family members.

How come you don't give examples of the "simpler options", as i personally don't see this being a very complex idea, however good in the fact that you can keep your faradat cage in your bedroom cupboard, somewhere secure and hidden / out of sight.

[omega man]

Hi shymatty,

I'm with you, It's worth doing (especially if you know others who will be doing the same),made 1 myself.

However I must advise you to do a little research.. mesh will not work! it must be completely hole/gap free,basically a solid metal box to work, ideally with that foil tape over the door or 'lid join' after securing the electricals inside FULLY Insulated from the box itself..

.....a good test is to leave a mobile phone 'on' and try to ring it while its in the FD box. If correctly protected it wont ring or have a missed call.

Scrap the earth plug idea, just connecting to larger network of conductive material, possibly to recieve a surge.

You can simply drop small electrical items into poly sandwich bags (i thing double bagging best ) then wrap in a good solid covering of tin foil followed by another poly bag just to protect from foil tear.. works a treat!! << using this for ipod/sat nav etc currently.

didn't wanna pull your post apart dude..just help/share

OM

[Zai]

There are simpler options, but when the EMP strikes I would not worry too much, 90% of all electronics would be fried, and unless your work has protected similar components, basically. all knacked!!..no sats, no relay masts no signals - zilch...best to get your stove or other alternate heat/light prepped up and 'sit it out'..

Which is why the other nutjob preppers who put their ham radios into a faraday cage will be chatting away like nobody', s business.

Not to mention an emp has a limited range - I've used my radio to talk to people in Japan, so I'm sure there will be plenty of people in the world to get help from / yap to.

[Reservior]

I have one, which I keep some 'stuff' in, the basis of it is a metal ammunition box. I have another planned to house a netbook and external HD. Not because I want access to the Internet but because I might want access to files etc that are stored in electronic format. There was a great a few weeks ago about it, back ups for back ups, etc.

[havoc]

I made myself a faraday cage out of a metal bin/ with a lid lined it with cardbord also the lid and it works a treat...ive also wrapped my items up in foil and place them back into the box they came from

[Pepper7]

Nice post..... did not know how easy it was to protect against EMP. Even an old microwave would work