nuclear EMP
 

What can a nuclear EMP take out? I know it can take out power grids and sensitive electronics that are running. But I haven't seen anywhere about electronics or computers that are powered down completely and unplugged of whether it could be affected as well.

I know you can't take anything from a movie as fact. But in the movie "Broken Arrow" the character played by John Travolta told the driver to shut the engine off right before the underground nuke went off. The helicopter flying overhead crashed, but the jeep started back up. And then he shouted, E M Ps.

Re: nuclear EMP
 

It wouldn't matter if they were plugged in or turned on...unless they were in a Faraday Cage, they'd be fried. Here is a Popular Mechanics article about it:

http://www.popularmechanics.com/tech...w/1281421.html

Edit: I should caution that it certainly depends on the strength of the weapon used. If it isn't very powerful or exploded at a non-optimal distance, then electronic equipment that is turned off would most likely be fine. It wouldn't matter much though, as everything plugged in will overload, start fires, arc, etc and thus the infrastructute will burn out quickly. There was an interesting episode of "Future Weapons" where an EMP weapon was featured. It was used on a specially modified car that was turned off. If the car had not been modified, the arcing in the wires could have caused the fumes in the tank to explode. It failed to turn on again. This of course demonstrates an optimal distance or strength effect.

Edit again: Here is a compilation of articles regarding the effect such a weapon would have on life in any "civilized" nation. http://unitedstatesaction.com/emp-terror.htm

Re: nuclear EMP
 

Thanks for the info. I have a windup powered radio, windup flashlight, an mp3 player, and small solar panel equipment. I was thinking of simply placing them in a metal box, like a tool box, with foam insulation on the inside bottom, and connect a ground wire and connect that to AC ground.

Re: nuclear EMP
 

To what would you connect the ground wire (ie, outside or inside of the box)? Just place them in a metal tool box or filing cabinet and leave it alone. It will act (well enough anyway) as a Faraday Cage. No grounding wire is necessary. Just make sure the sensitive materials are completely enclosed and you'll have nothing to worry about.

Re: nuclear EMP
 

LMAO, popular mechanics, aren't they the same people that verified the hoax about the twin towers? :haha:

Back on topic, I believe everything is screwed....

Re: nuclear EMP
 

Thats what I have done. I was also able to salvage some industrial electrical panel boxes, much larger than most tool-boxes and free.

Re: nuclear EMP
 

I think that blowing up an EMP is probably not a good thing to do around sensitive airplane or ship electronics. Talk about a Darwin award waiting to happen!

Re: nuclear EMP
 

I know that the Russians have kept with the older vacum tube technology because of EMP.

Re: nuclear EMP
 

Here's a good site for info on how to protect your stuff from EMP.

http://www.unitedstatesaction.com/em...aday_cages.htm


It's not that hard really, you just have to be prepared.

Re: nuclear EMP
 

ALL circuit boards in whatever machines plugged in, turned on, OR NOT. EMP = good-bye to ALL household computers, TVs, automotive high-energy electronic ignition systems, etc.

Only "hardened circuitry" or stuff sealed in a Faraday cage will survive. The FC is not hard to build, actually...especially a small one.