You cannot see it or hear it, yet an EMP attack is a valid threat that can be felt in a tremendous way. And yet, there are ways to deal with it.
For all those who do not know about EMP, this is an electromagnetic pulse. It is a strong electrical field that can disrupt various electronic devices that we use today. The US military has reportedly tested this effect in the past and found out how strong and devastating it can be. But what does that mean for your everyday life?
Here we will discuss what is an EMP attack and how to survive using a Faraday to protect electronics.
What does the EMP effect mean for you?
The EMP effect is a burst of electromagnetic radiation, a term used to describe the potential impact of an electromagnetic pulse (EMP). An EMP can occur naturally as a result of lightning or solar storms, though some scientists believe they also may result from nuclear explosions. In either case, when an EMP occurs, it can damage and destroy certain types of electronic equipment.
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The concept of an EMP was first developed in the 1950s by researchers who were exploring the effects of nuclear weapons detonations at high altitudes on electronic equipment.
An EMP has the potential to cause widespread disruption, damage and even destruction by damaging electronic devices and electrical grids. Modern society relies heavily on electricity for generating power and operating essential services such as communications, transportation systems, banking and finance, food production, and water supply.
Will my electronics stop working during an EMP attack?
A nuclear EMP event is one of the few things that could potentially destroy every electronic device within its range. But the question is, what exactly would “destroy” mean?
It depends on what kind of device you have, and when it was built.
Let’s start with the worst-case scenario: a typical high-altitude, high-yield nuclear blast. This creates an electromagnetic pulse that goes on for miles and miles, damaging electronics within its range.
What kind of electronics may be damaged after an EMP?
- TVs, radios and other broadcast equipment
- Power grid transformers and substations
- Telephones (land lines) and smartphones
- Vehicle and aircraft control systems
- Computers and all internet connected devices
- Refrigerators
- Generators
- Satellites potentially within the range of the EMP
Now, modern cars have some very sophisticated electronics in them, but they’re built to be fairly resilient against the elements. While there are no guarantees that a given car would survive a nuclear EMP event — especially if it were running at the time — the odds are pretty good that it would still work afterward.
But most personal electronics have a much smaller window for survival. In order for sensitive electronics to survive an EMP attack, they need to be kept inside a Faraday cage (or bag). These cages are made from conductive materials like aluminum or copper mesh that block electromagnetic radiation from getting through and frying your gadgets.
How can you prepare your electronics against an EMP attack?
As long as you can insulate your devices from the EMP, you’re good.
One simple way is to place them in a metal box or Faraday cage. A Faraday cage is an enclosure made of conducting material such as metal mesh or metal plates, used to block electric fields. The first and foremost example of a Faraday cage is the earth itself.
The basic idea behind a faraday cage is that an external static electrical field will cause the electrical charges within the cage’s conducting material to be distributed such that they cancel the field’s effect in the cage’s interior. This phenomenon is used, for example, to protect electronic equipment from lightning strikes and electrostatic discharges (ESD).
In addition, powerful electromagnetic waves can penetrate even closed metal doors, walls and ceilings if they are long enough. In other words, you will only be safe if your house has no windows and no doors.
What Is Faraday Cage?
Faraday cages can be made in many shapes and sizes, including boxes and rooms. For example, some telephone companies store their equipment in Faraday cages to protect it from lightning strikes during storms.
Most people do not need to make their own Faraday cages. Instead, they simply purchase items that have been shielded with this technology. For example, consumers can buy laptop bags or briefcases with built-in Faraday cages to protect their computers from radio waves or other unwanted signals. Another option will be to purchase window film that has been designed with this technology in mind.
Using Faraday to protect electronics is the best way to protect yourself and your devices from the EMP effect.
The Need for Faraday Protection
A Faraday cage or Faraday shield is a container used to block electromagnetic fields. A Faraday shield may be formed by a continuous covering of conductive material, or in the case of a Faraday cage, by a mesh of such materials.
Faraday cages are used to protect electronic equipment from thunderstorm-related electrical damage and EMP damage caused by detonation of a high-altitude nuclear device. They are also used to protect people against actual electric currents such as lightning strikes and electrostatic discharges, since the enclosing cage conducts current around the outside of the enclosed space and none passes through the interior.
They are also used to block radio signals from entering or exiting an area; for example, they can protect classified information being processed in military headquarters from being intercepted by spy satellites orbiting above.
In Conclusion
In the end, it’s the quality of the protection that matters. And based on our list, we feel Faraday cage is at the top of the list. If you want to make sure you protect your electronics during an EMP attack then take a look at Faraday cage and find out if it is right for your needs.
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What electronic device can you not live without? Please share your comments below.
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