DIY Faraday Cage

A Faraday cage protects electronics, especially circuit boards, from electromagnetic forces. Think of it as a shield against high pulses of electricity that can overwhelm devices. Electromagnetic forces can damage or destroy electronics in many ways. For example, an EMP (electromagnetic pulse) or a hacker’s forced intrusion can cause serious harm. So how do you make a Faraday cage? Is it hard to build? Let’s see.

Fortunately, a Faraday cage offers reliable protection. Its design is simple and highly effective.

The Carrington Event

In 1859, a massive solar flare sent an EMP to Earth. At the time, there were few electronic devices. However, telegraph lines worldwide stopped working and had to be replaced.

The event is named after Richard Carrington. He was sketching sunspots when the burst of light from the sun temporarily blinded him.

Beyond the Carrington Event

What’s even more alarming than a massive solar flare is the EMP from a nuclear detonation. Every nuclear detonation produces an EMP. An intentional detonation in the atmosphere would send an EMP across hundreds, even thousands, of miles.

While the blast and radiation are the greatest fears, the EMP may actually be the biggest threat. It travels far beyond the blast and radiation, destroying anything that relies on electronics to function.

The Hacker Threat

The good news is that solar flares and nuclear detonations are rare. However, a more common threat is emerging: hackers. They can hack into cell phones, computers, and even Internet networks.

The threat is real. Hackers can access anything from laptops to tablets, especially mobile phones. They can download all sorts of information.

If hacking becomes a constant threat, a Faraday cage can offer some protection.

What Happens After an EMP?

After an EMP event, most electronics and power grids would be damaged, causing widespread disruptions. Communication systems would fail, transportation would be halted, and economic activity would grind to a halt.

Supply chains for food and water would be affected, and recovery could take months or even years. Society would struggle without modern technology, requiring significant adjustments to daily life and survival.

Power lines and transformers are vulnerable to EMPs, especially if it’s a large-scale event. Electrical grids could go offline, causing widespread power outages that may last from days to months, depending on the severity and how quickly repairs can be made. If you want a reliable 24/7 power source in your own backyard that allows you to outlive any long-term blackout, this is my top choice.

The Faraday Cage Concept

A Faraday cage works by creating a space surrounded by metal. Inside, it has a non-conducting insulating layer. This layer prevents anything from touching the metal exterior.

What Can You Put In a Faraday Cage

You can store various items in a Faraday cage, such as laptops, pad devices, cell phones, smart watches, GPS devices, small radios, 2-way radios, beepers, hearing aids, and anything with a circuit board that fits in the bucket.

While it’s not practical to store these items in a Faraday bucket every day, it can provide vital protection if a threat like an EMP or widespread hacking emerges.

Related: DIY EMP-Proof Truck

The metal bucket Faraday cage is by far one of the simplest and easiest ways to construct a Faraday cage. This method is cost-effective because the bucket is inexpensive, and all it requires is a lining of cardboard to prevent any electronics from coming into contact with the metal.

When choosing the size of the bucket, consider the size of the electronic devices you want to shield. Additionally, a major benefit of this method is its portability, making it convenient and easy to access. To get started, here’s how to put one together.

Supplies for DIY Faraday Cage

Scissors
A metal bucket with a tight-fitting lid
Corrugated cardboard is best

Assembly

Cut a circle from the corrugated cardboard that will fit into the bottom of the bucket. You want a tight fit.

Line the sides of the bucket with more corrugated cardboard. You may need to trim and cut as you go. Put it in the bucket and adjust the cuts.

You then want to cut another circle of cardboard to place on top. You don’t want anything inside to contact the metal bucket or lid. Try to get a tight fit.

Place all of your electronics inside the bucket and cover with the top circle of cardboard.

Tightly seal the metal lid on top and you’re done. It can be stored anywhere and as we mentioned before, it’s easy to take it with you if you’re evacuating an area in an emergency.

Faraday Cage Fails

The biggest mistake is when electronics touch the metal sides or the top of the bucket. Metal conducts the EMP and can damage the electronics with any electromagnetic charge that strikes the bucket. To avoid this, make sure you add this EMP-proof cloth insulation and ensure there are no gaps that could let anything touch the metal. You can tape the cloth together for extra security, especially if you’re transporting the bucket, which could cause the contents to shift.

Any holes or gaps in the bucket could allow an electrostatic charge to enter. Therefore, if your bucket has any openings, seal them with metallic tape to ensure full protection.

Similarly, a loose-fitting lid is a problem. Gaps in the lid create another entry point for an EMP. Thus, make sure the lid fits tightly on the bucket to avoid any vulnerabilities.

Before placing electronics in the Faraday bucket, remember to turn them off. Otherwise, devices like phones or computers will keep searching for a Wi-Fi signal inside the bucket. However, since the signal will be blocked, this process will drain the battery. To prevent this, turn off your phone or switch it to “airplane mode” before placing it inside the bucket.

You Never Know…

You might wonder why you need a Faraday cage. There’s plenty of talk about EMPs and Faraday cages online. Then, there’s also the growing hacker problem.

Solar flares are natural and happen regularly. As for nuclear detonations, you just never know. But what’s most concerning is the rise in hacking worldwide.

Understanding what a Faraday cage is and how to build one quickly and cheaply is a smart move. Hopefully, you’ll never need one. But if the threat arises, you’ll know exactly what to do and how to do it.

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