In the comments on this post on metal containers for Long Term Storage (LTS), Steve brought up the topic of EMP, and I thought it would be good to do a quick post looking at how to prepare for EMP, Carrington Events, and even a bit on lightning.
The fact is, there are a number of natural events that can dump large loads of energy into systems not designed for them. There are also acts of man that can do the same. In some cases, there may be warning. In others, particularly the acts of men, not so much. Let’s take a look at some of the threats, then we can get into what preparations you can make.
EMP stands for Electro-Magnetic-Pulse, and is best known as being the result of a nuclear bomb exploding. While there are some natural events that can produce EMP, most of what we have to worry about come from nuclear weapons and other devices designed to create EMP. It is a matter of public record that there are a number of non-nuclear devices, sometimes referred to as e-bombs, that can produce damaging EMP. One of the big worries the pros have is a terrorist group/rogue state using such a device in or above the U.S.
That great big fusion reactor that is our sun also throws out energy on a regular basis beyond mere sunlight. Sunspots, coronal flares, and coronal mass ejections can give us everything from the aurora borealis to the Carrington Event in the 1800s that dropped enough energy onto Earth that it powered the telegraph systems. If memory serves, we have even seen some ejections headed away from Earth that if they came at us would qualify as a Extinction Level Event (ELE). Those of somewhat lesser power would wreak havoc on the power grid, electronics, and communications.
There are also some apparently naturally occurring phenomena that produce energy pulses that don’t qualify as EMP, but can affect electronics and power. If what I remember is correct, we really don’t understand some of these events and as such we may not have a good read on what they can do.
The other thing that can throw large amounts of energy around is lightning. More localized than the others, but something to factor into your planning. Speaking from experience, having that much energy hit systems not designed for it can have interesting and even catastrophic effects.
Now, how can you prepare for such things? In the comments, Gryphon has a great suggestion: the American Radio Relay League, known today as ARRL. They have a good bit of information on dealing with pretty much all of the above.
Given the amazing amount of damage done by lightning each year, it is well worth implementing protections for your home, which will also help those within. I’ve used industrial-grade surge protectors for years when I could not do a whole-house system. Pro Tip: If the surge protector doesn’t have a $10,000 or better warranty, it’s not a real surge protector. The company that made the ones I used the most back in Huntsville ended up buying me a large screen TV. They may have also been the ones who paid me to ship it back so they could do a failure analysis on it.
Also, near and dear to my heart (pun pun), when buying or building check to see how often lightning hits in that area. For some reason, certain locations seem to attract hits. If the property is one such, look elsewhere. If there is one tree in the area that gets hit a lot, cut it down. Side note, my landlord did cut down the tree at the root of my getting hit. I’m good with that.
When it comes to other events, Gryphon in his comment makes a good point. The best protection is not to be plugged in.
EMP and dangerous surges are going to do more damage when you have a larger “antenna” as it were. The miles and miles of transmission lines that are part of our power grid make for a huge antenna. Solar events will give at least some time for warning. Barring terrorist attacks, the rising tensions should give some warning. When things are tense or the boffins are weaseling on what the sun is doing, get in the habit of unplugging appliances and electronics. If you know things are bad or a major solar storm (or a severe lightning storm) is about to hit, I’d recommend flipping your main to off. The more gaps in the system, the better.
Under those circumstances, I’m also going to be putting my laptop, emergency radio, other electronics, chargers, and things with transformers (lots and lots of wire) into one of the metal cannon ammo cans. For most things that aren’t an ELE, they will likely provide sufficient shielding. I can hook them to a ground at need as well. And for general preparedness, but particularly in the event of something like this, have some GOOD radios for communications as you might not have the internet or cellular service for a while. The $5 special at the big box store is not what you want, go for something a bit better. Yet another good reason to check out ARRL for advice, or to get into real radios if you or someone in your family/group gets into it. Me, I sucketh worse than a Hoover at Morse…
Given that you might not get warning for acts of men, it would not hurt to have that can already filled with an emergency radio (crank & multiple power sources), personal com radios, solar charger(s), other chargers, and other electronics or backup electronics you think are needed. Use the personal com radios on a regular basis so you are familiar with them and are keeping them ready to go.
As for vehicles and all the computers in them, well, that’s a good question. I’ve had people tell me that newer cars will be okay overall. I’ve had yet others say the opposite. I’ve put my own car issues on hold for now, but leaning towards something that might not have as many computers and won’t snitch on me. The short take from others is that if you have a metal garage, you should be okay with most events; if there is terrain/earth between your vehicle and the source, you should be good; and, if you are at a sufficient distance from man-made events, you should be good. My personal take is that no one knows for sure, but am hoping for the best, planning for the worst and will take what comes.
Please do take lightning seriously, and plan and prepare for it. If you do, you will find you have done a lot to EMP-proof your home and electronics. There even could be insurance and other benefits to doing it as well. If you get and stock that can, and unplug as much as possible if things get dicey, you’ve done about all you can. Just some quick thoughts that I wanted to share.
Getting hit by lightning is not fun! If you would like to help me in my recovery efforts, which include moving once we have medical issues cleared up, feel free to hit the fundraiser at A New Life on GiveSendGo, use the options in the Tip Jar in the upper right, or drop me a line to discuss other methods. It is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. Thank you.