Faraday Cage discussion (spinoff from SickScent's "Boeing Guy" thread)

...Can't you use an old microwave, fridge or freezer as a faraday cage?

I have heard you can, but you still have to prep it properly...
[link to preparednesspro.wordpress.com]

First of all, allow me to dispel some myths about Faraday cages—and boy, howdy, there are a LOT of them.

* Whether or not your electronics are plugged in, how long of an antenna you’ve got on something, what voltage it is, or whether or not they operate with batteries—all non-protected electronics will be affected by an EMP.
* Batteries will be affected, usually in the form of “shorting” as well.
* Electronic phone systems will also be damaged.
* Surge protectors are useless in the event of an EMP exposure.
* Just because your car has rubber tires, it will not be impervious to the effects of an EMP. Rubber containers are insufficient protection against an EMP.
* And oh yeah—yes, your Faraday cages DO need to be grounded. If it’s NOT grounded, then the Faraday cage merely becomes a reflector or an amplifier.
* Yes, a microwave can act as a Faraday cage, but why in the world would you want to use it for that? That’s just silly when you can make one simply.
* Faraday cages do not have to be solid, thus the name “cage” instead of the oft misused term—“box.” In fact, many of them that you can build yourself or will see on the internet will resemble a bird cage or a very finely meshed chicken coop wire.
* Also, contrary to what you may see on the internet, a sheet of foil on a box will not protect you. It’s not thick enough to withstand the pulse. However, you CAN protect your items if they are buried a couple of feet underground in every direction (up and sideways.)
* Last, but not least, a car is NOT a Faraday cage sufficient to withstand an EMP incident. It has some similar components, yes. Most cars made today consist of fiberglass and disjointed parts, not a continuous metal material. In addition to that, they are on tires. Tires on a car do NOT serve as grounding. Folks are simply getting an EMP strike confused with a lightening strike. Now, IF you had an old fashioned car that was made of metal, that had its tires removed, that was also attached to an Iron or copper pole and that was ALSO on dirt—not gravel—then yes, you may have a car that doubles as a Faraday cage. (Kind of like the old clunker my dad has out in his “back forty.”
* The cages do not have to be solid, but they do have to be constructed continuously without gaps between the protective material.

nwdoom: SS, Do you have a Faraday Cage? Me and my dad built one 8 feet by 4 feet wide by four feet tall. Have alternators, 3 generators, nightvision, radios etc...
if an EMP from the sun hits and you dont have your vital electrical compnents in the cage you are screwed.
Oh and by the way the MYTH that if the electrical component is turn off an EMP wont hurt it BS
Also read "One Second After"

Sickscent: I don't have one...I am up in the air with how much they would actually help...if the entire grid goes down, you'll have to work off other power supplies...etc. i think it is a good short term thing to do, but I haven't gotten around to it.

nwdoom: I forgot to ask, how long would this event last? Assuming the cage worked you would not want to open it at the wrong time!

Sickscent: They do not know exactly what the event IS...but longer than a lifetime...

There is some research done, through plasma events, that conclude that it could last for more than 3000 years...