For EMP...
A Faraday cage (named for the 19th-century inventor, Michael Faraday), is any conductive structure that protects its contents from electrical pulses.
Your simplest option is an old microwave oven or a tightly sealed metal garbage can (other options include an ammo can or a metal safe). A Faraday cage is easy to build, but since we don’t know the exact level of damage that can be caused by a weaponized EMP, it’s impossible to say which electronics might survive. All we can do is rely on informed best guesses. Follow these steps and hope for the best.
How to Create a Faraday Cage
- Determine what size box you’re going to need. Gather up everything you want to shield and see how much space they require. Likely items include shortwave radios, walkie-talkies, crucial medical equipment (i.e. a glucose meter), and spare electronic parts for your generator and car. Note that batteries are not affected by EMP, so they don’t need to be included in your stash.
- Choose a box or container that closes as securely as possible. Any gaps will render the grounding ineffective.
- Wrap your box securely in aluminum foil. Be sure the body of the box and its lid are totally encased.
- Tape every seam down firmly. You can use regular tape for this, although aluminum or copper tape will provide better security.
- Line the inside of the box with cardboard to ensure that your electronics do not contact any of the foil or metal tape.
- Place your items inside and seal the lid firmly.