EMPs and a few easy preventative measures.

First let me start by describing what an EMP is. I am sure most of tou already know, but for guts and grins, why not?

EMP stands for Electro Magnetic Pulse. or a short burst of electromagnetic energy. In this thread we will be talking about the type and characteristics of the EMP associated with nuclear detonations.

Electromagnetic energy is a form of radiation that is basically electric energies and magnetic energies oscillating together. there is a wide range of frequencies ranging from the microwaves that cook your dinner to the x-rays that show doctors your bones.

when used in this manner, they are mostly harmless and very helpful.

But when you detonate a nuclear device at altitude there is a strong associated EMP that has the potential to fry electronics and the like for hudres to even thousands of miles depending on the altitude of detonation.

Now, this means that lets say some rogue nation decides to send a satellite into space and orbit it at about 300 miles above the earth, and on this satellite there lies a large nuclear warhead. and this nation hates the US. So now this nation detonates the bomb at 300 miles above the ground directly over... say... kansas.

the effect from the EMP would be felt across the entire continental US. every single man woman and child here and alot in canada and mexico too would find that... umm... honey the lights arent working!

funny thing is that it wouldnt just be the electricity. all electronics are likely to be effected. battery operated toys, flashlights, even cars would be useless. (well most. some of us with our love for old muscle could probably just change some wires and get a new battery).

Now, i have thought about this overnight here at work and i have decided to pose a few things that could mean the difference between stranded and mobile in the event of an EMP.

first, a grounding device for your vehicle. it would be so simple to install and super cheap as well. just drive a bit of rebar deep into the ground, sodder one end of a jump cable to it, and drive up next to it when you get home. then just attach to frame of vehicle and be at ease.

also, you could help by disconnecting the battery cables, but that becomes bothersome and can cause problems if done day in day out. but if you have a spare vehicle that you dont use much, ground it, and disconnect the battery when not in use.

make sure that your house is not electronic dependant. As in, know your area, where you can access clean water. Keep alternate ways to heat water such as a kerosene stove or at least an oil lamp and some candles. these items were once considered basic emergency stuff, but was replaced with flashlights and battery stoves. but be sure you understand. modern emergency kits will not be fully operational in the case of the EMP.

Of course there is basic first aid kits, and one should always take a refresher course on the application of first aid.

but most imprtantly. ground any large electrical equipment that you have when not in use. generators, sump pumps, etc;

the EMP is probably one of the quickest ways to send the US back to the middle ages. The effects of the EMP would probably be as much as or more impacting than the nuke iteslf.

open for debate and additions, and sure, i even got time for an argument in good taste

-Wx4cAsTeR

reply to post by wx4caster


I have recently revisiting this subject. Coasttocoastam.com had William Forstchen on the other night who really feels this is a threat. The segment was interesting to listen to but the guy was short on answers and seemed uninformed in many areas even though he has a book out.
Electromagnetic Pulse Attack
Friday November 27, 2009
Filling in for George, Art Bell spoke with Prof. William Forstchen for the entire program about how an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) attack by a rogue nation could disable America's power grid and communications infrastructure, and lead to an...
Host: Art Bell
Guest(s): William R. Forstchen

I have previously grounded all my electrical equipment that I may need just in case. I drove a 8 foot copper rod into the ground in my garage. I used metal trash cans as suggested by Holly Deyos book called Dare to prepare. Now after more reading I plan on grounding my vehicle as you mentioned. The one thing I need to further look into is if that ground would stop the wave from burning out the celinoid to start the car. I may need to set a faraday en.wikipedia.org... cage around it or make sure I know how to replace it. Look up faraday cages on YouTube its pretty cool. Also silver is the 1st line of defense then copper, aluminum and steel. He also mentioned that microwaves are a good blocking source. I have a few old ones and plan on getting a few steel boxes to ground more items.
Glad you posted.

Grounding things will offer about as much protection from EMP, as hiding in a tent at ground zero during a nuclear explosion.

You have absolutely no idea of the electrical ferocity of EMP.

The sheer power of the thing, and the extended frequency range of the pulse, make anything you can do yourself completely ineffective.

I'd like to see some kind of results from emp testing donee during actual nuclear tests.

Anyone know where this might be found?

Originally posted by Silver Shadow
Grounding things will offer about as much protection from EMP, as hiding in a tent at ground zero during a nuclear explosion.

You have absolutely no idea of the electrical ferocity of EMP.

The sheer power of the thing, and the extended frequency range of the pulse, make anything you can do yourself completely ineffective.

Where do you get this information. I would like to view it. I am not totally concerned about just a terror attack my preparedness is for other events also like military weapons truck mounted, CME`s ,volcanic.

[edit on 1-12-2009 by saralee]

Where do I get this ?

The information is widely available if you care to search.

I really do not care if you believe me or not.
But as a professional electronics engineer for several decades, I can tell you that just grounding things offers absolutely zero protection from EMP.

Even especially hardened military electronic equipment is not completely immune to EMP, any more than a hardened physical structure is immune to a nuke.

It is all a matter of electromagnetic field strength in the case of EMP.
In the case of a nuke, it is blast pressure and heat.

A single massive EMP event over any modern nation will completely destroy the infrastructure.
No grid power, no communications, no transport, no pumped water supply.

And ALL THE SPARE PARTS TO FIX IT WILL BE DEAD TOO.

Originally posted by Silver Shadow
Grounding things will offer about as much protection from EMP, as hiding in a tent at ground zero during a nuclear explosion.

You have absolutely no idea of the electrical ferocity of EMP.

The sheer power of the thing, and the extended frequency range of the pulse, make anything you can do yourself completely ineffective.

I agree. Maybe completely surrounding the item you wish to protect in a multi layered lead or maybe copper shield (with gounding at every layer) may have some effect but being as far away from the E.M.P. (following the inverse/square law) would be the best defence.

Better yet, don't rely on sensitive, high gain semiconductors (electronics). Diesel engine - fuel solenoid and crank. Mechanical injection. Even better, energise to stop solenoid so burning it out will only ensure the engine continues to run.

[edit on 7-12-2009 by OZtracized]

Just because they say the cars solenoids were the only thing damaged in a movie (war of the worlds: remake), does not mean its the only thing that will be dead. Solenoids (coil/relay) and other coils of wire like electric motors will not really be damaged, it will be the cars computer and electronic ignition that will be dead.

The battery will NOT die, things like diodes and transistors and computer chips will die. If you want to protect your stuff, you will need a faraday cage made from copper. Copper sheet is better then copper mesh as it does not allow even the highest frequencies in, the thicker it is, the higher power it can handle. You ground the faraday cage.

To test that, wrap your cell phone in aluminium foil and try calling it. To ground the foil, place it and the phone in an empty non painted steel sink.