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Why and how to protect your gear from EMP
Survival Mom ^ | 10/18/12 | Rob Hanus

Posted on 10/21/2012 1:25:23 PM PDT by Kartographer

The first thing that we need to look at is the distinct lack of information available about EMP and its effects. Most of what we know is from nuclear tests, both American and Soviet, in the 1960s. Data and information after that period is still highly classified, so all we have to go on is what has been declassified from this earlier era of tests. However, this information, along with a few pieces of recent data, is enough to make some reasonable projections.

The second thing we need to understand is that a HEMP attack on the United States is about as bad as it gets. Experts predict that 70% – 90% of Americans would be dead within 12 – 18 months after an EMP attack. The reason for this is the extreme dependence on electricity and the delocalization of resources, like food, water and sanitation abilities.

EMP is survivable, but you need to start preparing for it now. Unlike other disasters, there is no warning or precursor, and no ability to, “finish prepping,” once it occurs. EMP is an instantaneous event. One second after an EMP attack, it’s lights out forever.

(Excerpt) Read more at thesurvivalmom.com ...


TOPICS: Miscellaneous; Society
KEYWORDS: emp; empattack; prepparedness; preppers; survival
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To: Kartographer

I’m just finishing “Adrian’s War,” the sequel to “A Distant Eden.” I recommend both books, just for the illustrations of what is probable in the event of a HEMP. Both books are available for kindles.


41 posted on 10/21/2012 4:15:38 PM PDT by redhead (Brought to you by the letter "O" and the number $16,000,000,000,000)
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To: Kartographer

Unfortunately, I am the idiot that alerted the leadership to this problem and expected them to keep it quite. It was part of my response to “but the Chinese only have 13 missiles”. I told them it only takes one to blackmail us into giving up Taiwan and South Korea. The longest pole in the tent is a fundamental part of our electrical grid that is only made in France and it usually takes 6 months to get just one. That is because it almost never fails. The bad news is that it doesn’t matter what you save. Everybody else is off the air. The good news is that shit would poor in from around the world in days. Think very simple diesel engines for transport and power. If I were to put anything in a Faraday cage, it would be a back up generator to light the night.


42 posted on 10/21/2012 4:29:59 PM PDT by Revolutionary ("Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition!")
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To: driftdiver
The only protection not plugging stuff in would offer is from secondary surges. Not plugging something in offers no protection from EMP.

I will agree and disagree. The average home has walls that are one big antenna. All the wiring, copper piping, twisted pair, and cable are electrically continuous with both neutral and ground. Unplugging (or reducing that length of antenna) will mitigate some of the surge issues by preventing the appliance from being part of the collector.
43 posted on 10/21/2012 4:53:18 PM PDT by PA Engineer (Liberate America from the Occupation Media.)
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To: driftdiver

I guess I wasn’t clear, a voltage spike in a transmission line can travel with little dissipation, whereas the emp pulse decreases at a logarithmic rate with dist
In this case how far away is far enough if an Iran detonated a nuke over Kansas.?


44 posted on 10/21/2012 4:53:51 PM PDT by dangerdoc (see post #6)
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To: PA Engineer

you can cross your fingers and hit the main breaker and ground out all your circuits. If the EMP in line of sight of your home though, your stuff is toast regardless.


45 posted on 10/21/2012 5:01:34 PM PDT by dila813
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To: dangerdoc

Washington State did a study which found that a single small bomb over Kansas could effect most of the United States. IMO thats a worst case of only one bomb.

They’d probably use more than one bomb.


46 posted on 10/21/2012 5:02:39 PM PDT by driftdiver (I could eat it raw, but why do that when I have a fire.)
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To: PA Engineer

There are a million variables. Unplugging offers protection against lightning but isn’t part of my EMP strategy.


47 posted on 10/21/2012 5:04:56 PM PDT by driftdiver (I could eat it raw, but why do that when I have a fire.)
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To: PA Engineer; Kartographer

I have aluminum siding on my home and have to go outside for any cell phone conversation. Would an aluminum sided house have any protection against an EMP?


48 posted on 10/21/2012 5:45:14 PM PDT by vetvetdoug
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To: vetvetdoug

Anything conductive will offer some protection. However a faraday cage has to be 100% to provide complete protection. The items inside also have to be insulated from the shield.


49 posted on 10/21/2012 6:38:00 PM PDT by driftdiver (I could eat it raw, but why do that when I have a fire.)
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To: vetvetdoug
Have a spare set of points and a condenser for the dizzy. A spare coil for the plugs also. This is why...
ANY length of wire not “protected” will charge up instantly to the induced voltage. A coil is a transformer (low voltage 12v to 40k-60k volts). That coil will charge up beyond it's intended use. Zap! It may melt the insulation or melt the thin wiring inside it. Either way it's gonna fry.
Have a spare alternator/generator with a regulator. Big windings inside those devices. Alternators usually have rectifiers located inside them. They don't do well with high induced voltages. Same with the generators and regulators.
I've switched on the AM dial every once in a while (In the ‘63 chev truck- updated engine to HEI). Static and noise in the background. I stepped on the go pedal and reved her up a bit. Noise increased.

Picture a metal device in a microwave at max setting. Not pretty. Now picture the microwave the size of the sky set at 1000%. Ugly

Newer vehicles may fair better due to the built-in protection needed for the HEI type ignition systems. But again anything else not tied into the ignition system may not make it. Fuel pump(motor windings)? Solenoids? Small sensors (Inlet air temp/flow) MAP/MAF.

The military folks know how important EMI protection is in aircraft and vehicles.
EA-6B’s and F-18G’s fly pods that can literally fry electronics as they fly over enemy airspace 10’s of miles away. (Blinding the enemy radar and comand-control systems)
HEMP is much bigger.

50 posted on 10/22/2012 7:26:57 AM PDT by BigpapaBo (If it don't kill you it'll make you _________!)
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To: dila813

“EMP is broad-spectrum, xrays, neutrons, gamma, radio, etc....”

Um, no.


51 posted on 10/22/2012 7:40:33 AM PDT by CodeToad (Padme: "So this is how liberty dies... with thunderous applause.")
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To: vetvetdoug

“Would an aluminum sided house have any protection against an EMP?”

Nope. Also, is your roof protected?


52 posted on 10/22/2012 7:43:09 AM PDT by CodeToad (Padme: "So this is how liberty dies... with thunderous applause.")
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To: Kartographer

EMP is bogus. Perpetuated by Chicken Little’s wanting attention talking about it.


53 posted on 10/22/2012 7:44:13 AM PDT by CodeToad (Padme: "So this is how liberty dies... with thunderous applause.")
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To: driftdiver

“faraday cage “

Technical sounding term people talking about EMP love to toss around, makes them sound technical, but a farady cage against a partical wave has zero protection. E

ven when the military protects against EMP they do so because of direct nuclear blasts from 1/4 mile away and there isn’t a pinhole to be found in the welding. That’s right, welding. Their buildings are plated in 1/8 steel and welded and tested such that not a single pinhole is to be found. Of course, read what I wrote: Nuclear blast. They are protecting from a blast from a warhead detonated nearby, not high altitude.


54 posted on 10/22/2012 7:48:03 AM PDT by CodeToad (Padme: "So this is how liberty dies... with thunderous applause.")
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To: CodeToad

bbzzztttt, try again. I used the term faraday cage because its a common term when discussing EMP. The devices known as a faraday cage certainly will offer protection against EMP.

I’ve worked INSIDE military facilities which were protected against EMP so there is certainly more than a pinhole in the welds. A 1/8 of steel will NOT protect against a nearby nuclear blast. Thats just silly. Having worked inside SAC Headquarters and also inside NORAD I am quite familiar with what it takes to protect against a nuclear blast.

A thin layer of metal will protect you against the EMP surge from a nuclear blast. All nuclear bombs create an EMP surge of some type. The bombs can be engineered to increase the EMP strength. EMP is line of sight so detonating the nuclear bomb in orbit vs on the ground, will increase the effective range of the weapon.


55 posted on 10/22/2012 8:05:54 AM PDT by driftdiver (I could eat it raw, but why do that when I have a fire.)
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To: CodeToad
I worked inside that hole for 3 years.

and walked through those doors.


56 posted on 10/22/2012 8:13:31 AM PDT by driftdiver (I could eat it raw, but why do that when I have a fire.)
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To: cuban leaf

Hey, don’t let everyone know that we live in a perfect place. All the crazies will come!! LOL


57 posted on 10/22/2012 8:19:38 AM PDT by KYGrandma (The sun shines bright on my old Kentucky home.....)
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To: driftdiver

“The devices known as a faraday cage certainly will offer protection against EMP.”

“I’ve worked INSIDE military facilities which were protected against EMP so there is certainly more than a pinhole in the welds. A 1/8 of steel will NOT protect against a nearby nuclear blast. Thats just silly. Having worked inside SAC Headquarters and also inside NORAD I am quite familiar with what it takes to protect against a nuclear blast.”

Re-read my comments. I did not say 1/8 metal will protect from a blast. Just becuase you might have stepped inside a building doesn’t mean you know how they are constructed. Not ot mention buildings underground are not the same as surface facilities. You might as wel l have said you were once inside a submarine. A screen cage no more stops EMP than it stop sunlight.


58 posted on 10/22/2012 8:43:14 AM PDT by CodeToad (Padme: "So this is how liberty dies... with thunderous applause.")
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To: vetvetdoug

No, older vehicles are great for this reason.

I have a MOD Land Rover Defender (diesel) that is EMP proof, in part for this reason, but mainly tro trudg throught the snow and mud where I live.

An old VW bug would be my choice for a gas powered engine — plenty of parts, too.


59 posted on 10/22/2012 8:52:39 AM PDT by TheThirdRuffian (I will never vote for Romney. Ever.)
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To: CodeToad

Umm, Yes


60 posted on 10/22/2012 9:07:48 AM PDT by dila813
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