Prepping for an electromagnetic pulse event: How will an EMP affect your prepping gear and equipment?

An electromagnetic pulse (EMP) event would significantly alter human life and many of your appliances that run on electrical energy will cease functioning altogether if they aren’t protected.

An EMP is an extreme burst of electromagnetic energy. It can be caused by natural events, such as lightning and solar storms like a coronal mass ejection (CME) or it can be created by an explosive device such as a nuclear detonation.

Here’s what an EMP event can do to seven commonly used gadgets and appliances. (h/t to PreppersWill.com)

Radios

An EMP also acts like an extremely powerful radio pulse. If you receive a warning about an imminent EMP attack, disconnect your radio antenna or put a protective device on it, similar to devices that protect against lightning surges.

If your radio is small, battery-operated and uses built-in antennas or antennas that are shorter than 18 inches, it can survive the EMP, but you should still err on the side of caution. Store them in a Faraday cage for protection.

Generators

If your power grid is not prepared for an EMP event, it will fry your neighborhood’s grid. Control computers and power transformers alike will cease working and it can take years before the lights go back on. Your generator will become extremely important during these difficult times, but if you don’t properly shield your generator, it can also get fried during the EMP event.

A Faraday cage or an EMP-proof cloth can protect your generator, as well as other items that can be crammed in them.

Solar power

Solar panels themselves should be fine after an EMP event, provided that you have removed the panels and encased them in a container that can redirect electrical energy. You also need to protect the batteries and the inverter used to convert the power to 110 or 220 volts. Similar to your generators, shield your inverter and your batteries by putting them in a Faraday cage or covering them with an EMP-proof cloth.

Watch this Natural News video and learn the basics about surviving an EMP attack.

Automobiles

If your vehicle is an old model and relies on a fully mechanical diesel engine, it should continue functioning after an EMP attack provided that you take good care of it. However, modern vehicles that have electrical ignition systems will be vulnerable. If you have the resources, consider investing in an EMP-proof garage. If not, an EMP-proof cloth should do – just make sure to fully wrap your vehicle in the cloth. (Related: Are you prepared for an EMP attack? Stock up on these items that will continue to work after one.)

Tractors and rototillers

Similar to other automobiles, if your tractors and rototillers rely on electrical ignition, it will be affected by the EMP event. Fortunately, there are still tractor and rototiller models that rely on point- and condenser-type ignition systems that will run just fine. Keep this in mind if you’re looking to buy a tractor or rototiller.

Computers

Only specially hardened computers and military-grade computers have a chance of surviving an EMP event unprotected. Consider keeping all your computer equipment in one room that you can shield, such as a basement, a garage or another kind of shelter. Encasing your computers in a steel cage, a Faraday cage, a Faraday bag or under a thick layer of EMP-proof cloth can offer a degree of protection.

Other 110-volt appliances

As a rule of thumb, critical equipment should be protected, whether or not it has a chance of surviving an EMP event, especially if the electricity in your home comes in through power lines, which can act as giant antennas for the EMP that will destroy most appliances with a strong surge of electrical energy. Make a list of your most critical appliances and take the necessary precautions to protect them, such as placing them inside a Faraday cage, wrapping them in EMP-proof cloth or Faraday bags.

Learn more about what you can do before, during and after an EMP event at EMP.news.

Sources include:

PreppersWill.com

Study.com

CampGenerator.com

PreppersSurvive.com