What Is a Faraday Cage?
A Faraday cage or Faraday shield is an enclosure used to block electromagnetic waves or 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. It’s a special container that prevents electrical signals or
waves from passing through it. A basic way to think of a Faraday Cage is it allows any electrical pulses to
go around the container instead of through the container. Faraday cages are named after scientist
Michael Faraday, who invented them in 1836.
Why Do You Need a Faraday Shield or Cage?
A well-constructed Faraday cage will give your sensitive electronics (anything solid state) a layer of
safety. To protect them from damage or even to prevent signals from reaching others. You will want to
protect your critical solid-state equipment and any battery backup systems. Here are some other
reasons why you may want a Faraday shield:
1. Protect equipment from a Solar Flare: A solar flare is an explosion on the surface of the Sun. The occasional
massive blasts produce a burst of electromagnetic radiation, including X-rays. The bigger flares can wipe
out your data.
2. Protect equipment from an Electromagnetic Pulse Attack (EMP) : The rise of nuclear powers in the world along
with the instability in global politics leads to rising concerns over the possibility of a future nuclear
attack. All nuclear explosions create an EMP blast. But, some designs can cause a more significant EMP
effect than immediate destruction. EMP damage depends on the frequency and amplitude of the pulse.
Most damage will be line of sight, but nearly all of the US can be affected if pulses originate at the
Rockies and the Appalachian mountains, or if generated in orbit.
3. Prevent Cell Phone Tracking: Nearly all modern cell phones (and cars) are equipped with a GPS chip.This
feature gives you the ability to use your phone for navigation. But it also allows mobile providers
information about your location (past and current). This information is supposed to be stored for a
limited time only. But it’s unclear how long companies keep these location records. And it’s also unclear
who can request access to these records. Using Faraday bags/shields will block that tracking while your
phone is in the shield bag.
4. Prevent RFID Skimming These days, “electronics” are no longer limited to “things with a battery, a wall
plug, or an on/off switch.”More of the cards in your wallet contain RFID security chips. These chips are
designed to make mobile payment and verification easier. Unfortunately, the ease with which that
information is shared also makes it easier for criminals to scan the information from your credit card.
And they can do this remotely while it’s still in your wallet. But you block this criminal activity with an
RFID Faraday Cage wallet (like this one from Access Denied).
Faraday Shield Options
You can buy Faraday cages that vary in size from small bags that hold a smartphone to a Faraday tent or
Faraday room under which you can park a car and your entire family.
Faraday bags – available online in sizes small enough for just your cell phone or large enough to house
battery backup systems. For small items, this can be accomplished with foil and plastic wrap.
Faraday cages – you can buy or build using metal trash cans, cardboard and metal tape.
Faraday rooms – you can construct an entire room using Faraday techniques to protect your solid state
equipment.
What do you need to keep running?
Fuel based generators will be limited to your fuel supply
Battery based generators can be more useful in the long run
Small tech can be charged by 100 amp charger using a 20 watt solar panel (Goal Zero brand) about $80
Larger items can be charged by a 3500 watt electric Eco Flow or Blue Eddy generator
– Will run a fridge and chest freezer all day
– Add a 400 watt solar panel to recharge generator in a day with good sun
– Can link generators together and run 240 instead of 120 if neeed
– Using 6 battery generators and 4 solar panels, you can run the whole house in perpetuity at
a cost of about $25,000 vs. traditional whole home solar systems at $150,000.
Other possible energy generation sources include:
– Windmills
– Gravity generators
– Water wheel generators
Data Storage Not Subject to EMP or Solar Flares
CD’s and DVD’s
Optical disks
Other Prep Notes
Keep yourself fit, trained, and ready
Learn about
– Weapons (check out Patriot Academy)
– Canning
– Animal husbandary
– Wild edible plants
– Herbal healing