Additional Storage/Faraday Cage

[Padds]

So after reading (with great interest) the following forum topic concerning solar flares and EMPs -

viewtopic.php?f=11&t=7431

It occurred to me that a decent metal shed would serve well as a Faraday cage to protect any electrical equipment that you might have tucked away for a rainy day and also additional secure storage if space is a bit limited.

Living in London, I've not got a great deal of space so I've purchased an Asgard steel shed, which is fully enclosed steel, including the floor (hence the Faraday cage notion). In everyday life my preps are secure and if TSHTF, it wouldn't be too difficult to take everything indoors or bug out as needed.

http://www.asgardsss.co.uk/metal-garden ... e-addition

They've a big range of shapes and sizes available, but the bigger sheds do start to get quite pricey. Btw, I'm not pimping Asgard (I'm not an employee or anything!), and I'm sure there are plenty of other options out there.

[Auntystatic]

You will have to make sure that the doors are electrically bonded to the main structure, some braid and self tappers should do it, also a grounding spike is an option, a copper spike driven down a foot or two in a moist area behind the shed, add salt to the ground for better electrical conductance.

Never bond to your mains earth without checking if your mains is a Protective Multiple Earth (PME) installation. In these installations the same conductor is used to carry earth and neutral from the sub-station to the house. Earth and neutral are separate inside the premises, the two being bonded together near the Consumer Unit.

[Padds]

Good advice - the hinge and locking mechanism should suffice for now, but they'll probably rust up over time. And a grounding spike can't be too hard to procure and install...

Another couple of things to put on my list!

[icrcc]

As Auntystatic says it would be exceptionally difficult to ensure complete conductivity between the entire doors surface (assuming there are two doors) and the doors to walls interface. Conductivity has to be continuous. You also require continuous conductivity between the walls and the roof. This may be difficult if the metal is coated.

[Hamradioop]

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Index/ ... index.html a useful link for earth rods etc. no connection other than a satisfied customer

[Padds]

Cheers for the link

The top, sides and bottom are all screwed together (with a clever internal system so no leaks. The doors are presently attached to the rest of the unit with metal hinges and a top/middle/bottom locking mechanism. Could be improved, but that's one for another day when I have my more basic preps sorted.

[Manclife]

You'll also need a rubber mat on the floor. To test it, outside the shed tune in a radio to a local station and make sure the a good clear sound. Now put it in the shed and close the door. If the station cuts out your faraday cage works.

[metatron]

Its good it has a metal floor, I know the one I keep my push bikes in just has a steel frame with a piece of plywood over it.