How To Build A Faraday Cage For EMP Survival

EMP (electromagnetic pulse) is a frequent topic in both post-apocalyptic novels and survivalist discussions – but few people completely understand the science. An EMP is an intense burst of energy produced by lighting, nuclear or radio-frequency weapons or by other causes both natural and human-made.

Depending on the size and intensity of an EMP event, such a phenomenon could potentially take out electrical and information systems across vast areas. A massive EMP event, such as that caused by a high-altitude nuclear explosion, could potentially lead to a large-scale “grid down” scenario with no power, no transportation systems, no internet, and even no food and no water delivery systems across wide areas.

To prepare for such a phenomenon, you need to have knowledge of Faraday cages and how they can work to protect you against EMP. This article will discuss how to make a Faraday cage which can protect your electronic devices if an EMP burst occurs.

Faraday cages were invented by English scientist Michael Faraday in 1836. These containers can shield important electronic items from the effects of thousands of volts of power caused by high energy explosions. A Faraday cage safeguards its contents from excessive electromagnetic field levels. It works by reflecting incoming fields, absorbing incoming energy, and creating opposing fields. Building a Faraday cage is very simple. It essentially requires that a layer of metal encloses the contents completely, which will protect them from fields. There are a few simple designs that you can build yourself using available materials. One of them is a Faraday cage created from an aluminum pressure cooker, which is constructed by lining the pressure cooker with a large, heavy grade freezer bag. Put the equipment or device in the bag, secure the lid and you are good to go.

Galvanized metal garbage cans, popcorn tins, ammo cans and tightly sealed metal filing cabinets are also ideal Faraday cages. These metal containers can be lined with insulating material such as cardboard, Styrofoam, and carpet scraps to prevent the contents from having contact with the metal.

The effectiveness of the Faraday cage is determined by several factors including how thick it is, how tightly meshed / well-sealed it is, and what frequencies the EMP is. Shielding is important to the ability of a Faraday cage to reflect EMP bursts.

Ammo cans are a go-to solution to protect your radio equipment and backup hard drives from EMP. Frequently used to house battery systems and radios, but also making superb storage for numerous other items, ammo cans are a must-have item for most survivalists.

Homemade Faraday cages can also be constructed for larger electronic devices such as computers. You can fabricate a larger “shield room” by covering the entire surface of a closet with aluminium foil. You need to pay attention to how the foil is placed around the door frame to ensure that it provides a continuous shield. Going further up in scale you have the option of shipping containers.

A freestanding Faraday cage is also possible by framing a box with 2x4s and lining the outside with fine, conductive mesh. You can also use sheets of aluminum or copper as your shielding material.

Faraday Bags: Anti-static faraday bags can also be purchased to protect against electrostatic discharge. They are easy to store and are ideal for small devices such as smartphones and tablets. Click here to check these out on Amazon.

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