Here are eight common myths that you should know about Faraday cages.

In recent times, the Faraday Cage has gained popularity among Preppers and Survivalists who want to guarantee that their electronic devices survive in the event of an electromagnetic pulse or a coronal mass ejection. The issue is that the growing popularity of a Faraday Cage has given rise to a slew of myths and misconceptions.

What Is A Faraday Cage And What Does It Do?

In the event of a large-scale power loss, having a set of fundamental communication and survival gadgets on hand is critical. The following are some examples of equipment that you should have accessible.

Consider the complicated electronic gadgets you’d want to have available in the event of a major disruption. Hand-cranked radios, amateur radios solar powered generator, computer, back-up battery packs, flashlight, and so on, are examples of such equipment. These electronics may all be destroyed after a major electromagnetic pulse.

Putting these items into a Faraday Cage will protect them from the devastation of the shock-wave, allowing you to have more functioning equipment to enhance your survival capacity after collapse.

Myths and Misinformation

Because we’ve never been subjected to an EMP strike, we don’t have firsthand knowledge of shielding electronic devices from one. However, a lot of research and testing has been done, so we can design a Faraday Cage based on that information. The lack of real-life instances of individuals creating and building Faraday Cages to successfully protect electronic equipment during a power surge has resulted in a lot of misconceptions. While there are numerous false beliefs about Faraday cages, I’ve compiled a list of eight of the most common ones floating around the internet.

Myth #1: You Only Need A Metal Box

I’ve seen several articles on the internet that claim all you need to construct a practical Faraday Cage is a metallic container or a garbage can. While this is an excellent start, constructing a functional Faraday Cage takes more effort. The key point is that the outside surface must not have any gaps.

This implies that the top and the canister should be electrically connected. There must be a bridge at the juncture of the top and the body where the power can pass. Bare steel may suffice in some circumstances, however, I find using electrically conductive adhesive to seal up the seam is much better. In addition, the equipment within the enclosure must also be isolated from the casing. This may be as simple as a layer of cardboard, plastic, or timber. The key is that the objects you put inside the case will not be connected to the electrical field of the box or garbage can.

Myth #2: Faraday Cages Absolutely Need to be Grounded

Whether or not a Faraday Cage needs to be grounded is a matter of contention among Survivalists and Preppers. The fact is that it does not necessarily need grounding. Even so, I recommend that you still consider grounding one. The benefit of doing so is that you’ll be able to channel the energy that the metal of the cage absorbs into the ground. If it is not grounded, an electromagnetic pulse might strike, and the cage may accumulate a substantial electric charge, posing the danger of electric shock to you when you try and open the container. If the Faraday Cage cannot be grounded in your location, your equipment will be unharmed. You’ll, however, need to figure out a way to remove any built-up charges from the outside of the box.

Myth #3: Microwaves Make Excellent Faraday Cages

A microwave oven is designed to protect you from the radiation it generates.

Therefore, it is logical to conclude that an appliance will protect whatever it contains from outside electromagnetic energy. Microwaves do provide some shielding, but they were never meant to be full Faraday Cages.

The gap between the door and the actual microwave oven allows a pulse of electromagnetic energy to pass through. Microwaves are therefore no safe and surefire way of protecting your electronic essential survival gear.

Myth #4: Batteries Should Always be Stored in a Faraday Cage

It may seem reasonable to assume that a battery will be affected by a electromagnetic pulse, but this is incorrect.

I suggest that you store the battery chargers for your battery in a Faraday Cage, however, the batteries do not need to be stored inside.

Myth #5: Protect Against CME With A Faraday Cage

An electromagnetic pulse is not the same thing as a coronal mass ejection. The sun emits a solar flare, which is a large burst of radiation. The flare releases massive amounts of energy, some of which reaches the earth.

The charged particles interact with the Earth’s atmosphere, generating an electric current on Earth. Because the grid is essentially a huge radio receiver, it will accumulate the current, causing the transformers of the grid to melt.

If your electronic devices are not connected to an electrical power grid or a conductive structure such as a tower or an antenna or aerial, they will not be affected by a magnetic storm. However, using a Faraday Cage to protect your electronic devices will not cause any harm.

Myth #6: The Truth About Making A Faraday Cage Out Of Chicken Wire

You may use a chicken-wire cage as a Faraday Cage theoretically, but I would not advice it..

The holes in the wires will be smaller than electromagnetic waves expected wavelength during an electro-magnetic pulse assault.

However, in all my years as a Survivalist I have not come across any compelling scientific evidence that or proof that a chicken-wire cage would function as well as a steel-box cage against electromagnetic pulses.

Using a steel box made of strong, non-conductive materials such as ammunition cans, garbage cans with electrically conductive tapes as explained above is far preferable to spending time and money to construct one out of wood and wire.

Myth #7: Storage Of Solar Panels In A Faraday Cage Is Unnecessary

A Faraday Cage should always be used to protect your devices.

Solar Panels use sunlight to produce energy and are not affected by electromagnetic pulses. They do not need to be stored in any protective container.

However, if you solar panels have built-in charge controllers that allow you to connect gadgets directly to the panels, the circuitry will be affected by the electromagnetic pulse.

Solar panels do not require the use of a Faraday Cage, although solar batteries, chargers, and power converters are likely to be affected by an electromagnetic pulse.

 

Myth #8: Your Cellphone Can Be Used to Test a Faraday Cage

If my Faraday Cage can shield mobile phones from signals that should be enough proof that it should provide significant protection against electromagnetic pulses.

Regrettably, this is not accurate. Mobile phones use a particular frequency that may or may not be the same as the one used by an electromagnetic pulse.

It is preferable to test the efficacy of your cage with a variety of gadgets that operate across a broad spectrum of frequencies. An FM radio, an amateur radio, a WiFi router, and a GPS receiver, as well as a cell phone, are examples of such devices. This will give you a far more accurate picture of how well your Faraday Cage works.

The threat of an electromagnetic pulse is real. Whether a rogue state or terrorists launch and detonate it, they are a cheap way to paralyze a nation for years, if not months.

Don’t fall for the falsehoods, misconceptions, misinformation and other BS that are prevalent on the internet.

Conduct independent research, learn everything there is to know about a solar storm, educate yourself properly about what electromagnetic pulses can and cannot do, and don’t skimp on the materials you use to build your Faraday Cage.

Your communication devices are essential vital survival items you cannot afford to lose due to information that was based on myths.

The health and well-being of your family depends on your technical gear surviving an EMP attack.

Prepare in the best possible way so your survival is guaranteed.