| Written by Billy (Mr2tuff) A Faraday Cage is an enclosure formed by conductive material. These enclosures are capable of blocking external static and non-static electric fields. The Faraday Cage was named after the English scientist Michael Faraday, who first invented it in 1836 in order to “shield their contents from static electric fields." An electric field surrounds a charged particle, such as an electron or proton. | |
With the increased threat of a Carrington Flare type event, or even nuclear war, knocking out our power and sensitive electronics, I feel that it is important and necessary to send-out a message to all the do-it-yourselfers out there in order to go over just a few of the many designs available.
The main purpose of this blog is quite simple: to create our own Faraday cage in order to protect our sensitive electronic equipment from the high currents produced by extreme Solar Storms and electromagnetic pulses, which are capable of electromagnetically over-charging Earth’s atmosphere.
The main purpose of this blog is quite simple: to create our own Faraday cage in order to protect our sensitive electronic equipment from the high currents produced by extreme Solar Storms and electromagnetic pulses, which are capable of electromagnetically over-charging Earth’s atmosphere.
| Earth receives a regular, predictable amount of electromagnetic energy on a daily basis. However, during times of high Solar Activity or nuclear detonation, the Earth can receive very large doses of energy, which can overload and short circuit fine electronic components rendering them useless. | |
The energy entering Earth’s atmosphere is always on a direct path to ground. It will take the path of least resistance in all circumstances by traveling through the most conductive material; i.e. high-voltage electric lines, pipelines, tall antennas, and even tall buildings, which all provide a favorable path for the current to flow.
Any electronic equipment connected, in that path should be isolated and surrounded by conductive material, which will allow the electricity to flow around your equipment instead of passing through it. Understanding this concept is key to building a Faraday enclosure that will protect sensitive electronics.
Any electronic equipment connected, in that path should be isolated and surrounded by conductive material, which will allow the electricity to flow around your equipment instead of passing through it. Understanding this concept is key to building a Faraday enclosure that will protect sensitive electronics.
| A hollow, copper mesh enclosure will work best, but these can be very expensive. However, any conductive metal will work just fine. Considered a ‘poor man's’ Faraday Cage, the aluminium building is a great, inexpensive way to store the items you’d like protected. Creating the building with a wood subfloor that is elevated off of the ground is the simplest way. | Copper Mesh & Aluminium Build |
An Introduction to Faraday Cages | Another nice, cheap way of creating Faraday protection is to use a metal trash can. We simply wrap up our sensitive electronic devices in nonconductive plastic sheeting. Place some wood, or cardboard, in the bottom of the metal trash can and around the sides. TIP: We do not want ANY of our electronic equipment to touch the exterior walls! Wrapping them in plastic and taping them up will decrease the chances of electromagnetic energy from entering our devices. Sheds and secondary structures: Start by grounding all four corners of the building with at least four 4ft ground rods, which are driven into the ground and also connected to the exterior corners of the building. |
TIP: Remember to ground the containers! In some cases, depending on how much energy is involved, a ground is unnecessary. However, in the event of a large Electromagnetic Pulse or Coronal Mass Ejection impact, a Faraday Cage without a ground will not be able to protect anything, as the energy will have nowhere to go but into the sensitive electronics.
Simply keeping our iPhone and charger (or whatever devices you deem necessary) in a small, metal tin is great way to ensure that they will not be damaged. Ben (S0) will tell anyone willing to listen just how important it is to be aware of what can happen in a major solar event. "It is now law in the state of Maine that public grids be hardened against EMP damage… when I heard this it felt like a small miracle of progressive thinking on the subject. This is a step in the right direction." How progressive is your thinking on this topic?
I really hope that this blog has been enlightening, enough so that you can tackle this project with the confidence in knowing that you have the knowledge to protect yourself and your loved ones. Get creative, you can make a faraday cage out of 1000s of different objects.
As always Peace, Love and a Big Heads Up.
Simply keeping our iPhone and charger (or whatever devices you deem necessary) in a small, metal tin is great way to ensure that they will not be damaged. Ben (S0) will tell anyone willing to listen just how important it is to be aware of what can happen in a major solar event. "It is now law in the state of Maine that public grids be hardened against EMP damage… when I heard this it felt like a small miracle of progressive thinking on the subject. This is a step in the right direction." How progressive is your thinking on this topic?
I really hope that this blog has been enlightening, enough so that you can tackle this project with the confidence in knowing that you have the knowledge to protect yourself and your loved ones. Get creative, you can make a faraday cage out of 1000s of different objects.
As always Peace, Love and a Big Heads Up.
Images Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Main_Page
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