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DIY Faraday Cage for Electronics Protection: Solar Mass Ejection, Home Prepping, No Experience

Conan1989 13044 11
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  • #1 17222558
    Conan1989
    Level 8  
    Hello
    I would like to point out right away that I don't know anything about electronics, so I apologize in advance for that if I burn some cardinal stupidity.
    I have been interested in prepering for some time and would like to create a Faraday cage that will be able to protect electronic devices from the occurrence of a powerful ejection of solar mass that will be able to destroy all electronic devices. The problem is that I do not know electronics at all. Is it possible to create such a cage at home and if so, how to make it? Is a tightly closed metal bucket lined with cardboard or other insulator on the inside enough or is something else necessary?
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  • #2 17222571
    vrus
    Level 18  
    I will only ask, why would you need this electronics if the rest will not work?
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  • #3 17222610
    Conan1989
    Level 8  
    I plan to put devices there, which I will then be able to use thanks to a home generator (when I have enough of it). From what I heard, when it is turned off and not working, it is not in danger of an electromagnetic pulse.
    On the other hand, if the cost of securing such devices is high, it does not even make sense to accumulate money for the aggregate because I will not have anything to use it for.
    Third - the power outage condition will not last indefinitely. The electrical network will be repaired as a priority as, thanks to electricity, basically everything works today, then these devices will be as found
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  • Helpful post
    #4 17222635
    kortyleski
    Level 43  
    How big is this cage supposed to be? Frame made of profiles and the whole stretched with a galvanized mesh with small meshes. 5x5 mm. Grounded. Even a cell phone won't work. It is true that a bunker a few meters underground, lined with a lead sheet, is better, it will even protect against gamma rays. But these are costs. As a last resort, you can adapt an unused septic tank
  • Helpful post
    #5 17222649
    Rezystor240
    Level 42  
    A metal box is enough to stop this type of electromagnetic wave, it can be steel, but lead is better.
    If the box has thicker walls, the better.
  • Helpful post
    #6 17222833
    tadeusz12345
    Level 17  
    The question is what frequencies are a threat to our power grids. Reply:

    Quote:
    Bursts of X-ray and Extreme Ultra Violet radiation which are emitted during solar flares and can cause problems with High Frequency (HF) radio transmissions on the sunlit side of the Earth and are most intense at locations where the Sun is directly overhead. It is mostly High Frequency (HF) (3-30 MHz) radio communication that is affected during such events, although fading and diminished reception may spill over to Very High Frequency (VHF) (30-300 MHz) and higher frequencies.


    Link

    For most of these threats, plain aluminum foil will be preferable, and copper foil will be better. If you want to check the effectiveness of such a screen, wrap the phone with aluminum foil and call. The thicker the foil the better. All devices placed underground and under water are also safe, even 1-3m deep is enough. When using shielding, care must be taken to maintain tightness.

    For these frequencies, most devices such as motors, bulbs, heaters, transformers should not be damaged. The problem will be all automation and control. Power supplies, controllers and processors may be damaged. And most devices that use wireless transmission will be unusable.
  • #7 17222857
    kacpo1
    Level 33  
    tadeusz12345 wrote:
    For most of these threats, plain aluminum foil will be preferable, and copper foil will be better. If you want to check the effectiveness of such a screen, wrap the phone with aluminum foil and call.


    I completely do not understand this comparison ... Phone ringing (harmless radio waves) and solar explosions destroying electronics ...
  • #8 17222881
    sanfran
    Network and Internet specialist  
    In home conditions, it is best to build a cage that was invented by the famous Soviet scientist Schodov.
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  • #9 17222907
    tomek_602
    Level 22  
    Conan1989 wrote:
    I plan to put devices there, which I will then be able to use thanks to a home generator (when I have enough of it). From what I heard, when it is turned off and not working, it is not in danger of an electromagnetic pulse.

    An electromagnetic pulse causes high voltages to be induced and high currents to flow. This destroys electronics (and to a greater or lesser extent electrical engineering) regardless of whether they are working or not.
  • #10 17222912
    kacpo1
    Level 33  
    Only honestly ... What can break in such an aggregate? The mechanical engine will explode for you? I think that the electronics from the aggregate are adapted to work with high powers (the aggregate itself), so I doubt such an impulse that it will break something in such an aggregate.
  • #11 17223490
    Conan1989
    Level 8  
    Thanks to everyone for the answers. I think they have clarified the subject enough for me. I am not closing the thread at the moment in case something else comes to my mind
  • #12 17224076
    tomek_602
    Level 22  
    kacpo1 wrote:
    I think that the electronics from the aggregate are adapted to work with high powers (the aggregate itself), so I doubt such an impulse that it will break something in such an aggregate.

    It's like thinking that since you are working with high powers, lightning will not damage it.
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Topic summary

✨ The discussion revolves around creating a DIY Faraday cage to protect electronic devices from solar mass ejections and electromagnetic pulses (EMPs). The original poster expresses a lack of knowledge in electronics but seeks guidance on constructing an effective cage. Responses suggest various methods, including using a metal box (steel or lead preferred) and grounding it, as well as utilizing galvanized mesh. Some participants mention that aluminum or copper foil can also serve as effective shielding. The importance of maintaining tightness in the cage to ensure effectiveness is emphasized. Concerns about the potential damage to electronics from EMPs, regardless of whether they are powered on, are raised, along with the idea that underground placement can enhance protection. The conversation concludes with the original poster feeling more informed but open to further questions.

FAQ

TL;DR: HF (3–30 MHz) exposures dominate; "plain aluminum foil will be preferable." Build a tight, continuous metal container with an insulating liner for spare electronics. This FAQ helps home preppers with no electronics experience protect devices from CME/EMP. [Elektroda, tadeusz12345, post #17222833]

Why it matters: A simple, well-sealed Faraday container can keep critical radios, chargers, and control boards usable after grid failures.

Quick Facts

  • Solar disturbances most impact HF (3–30 MHz); VHF can be affected; seal all gaps for effectiveness. [Elektroda, tadeusz12345, post #17222833]
  • Rule of thumb: keep mesh openings ≤ 1/20 of the shortest wavelength you need to block. [Ott, 2009]
  • Reference target: HEMP facilities specify ~80 dB shielding from 10 kHz to 1 GHz; filter all penetrations. [MIL-STD-188-125-1]
  • Underground or underwater storage at ~1–3 m depth further reduces RF coupling; ensure enclosure tightness. [Elektroda, tadeusz12345, post #17222833]

Will a tightly closed metal bucket lined with cardboard work as a Faraday cage?

Yes, if it’s electrically continuous and the lid-body seam is bonded. Line the inside with cardboard or foam so devices never touch metal. Seal the lid with conductive tape or an EMI gasket. Avoid holes, plastic handles, and any cables passing through. Store items unplugged and isolated. [CISA, 2019]

Do devices need to be powered on to be damaged by EMP or CME?

No. Fast EMP induces voltages in conductors regardless of power state. Long attached cables increase coupling and risk. Geomagnetic storms mainly drive currents on long lines, but connected electronics can still be affected indirectly. Store spares disconnected, inside shielding. [EMP Commission, 2017]

Should I ground a DIY Faraday cage?

For electric-field shielding, earth ground is not required. Continuous metal and well-bonded seams matter most. Grounding improves safety and can help with low-frequency magnetic fields. Keep any ground strap short and wide. Long thin grounds act like antennas and increase coupling. [Ott, 2009]

What mesh size and material should I use for a room-sized cage?

Use copper, aluminum, or galvanized steel mesh. Keep openings ≤ 1/20 of the shortest wavelength to block. Example: 2.4 GHz Wi‑Fi (12.5 cm wavelength) suggests ≤ 6 mm openings. Bond all overlaps, and use EMI fingerstock or gaskets on doors. [Ott, 2009]

Is aluminum foil actually effective for protecting small devices?

Yes, if you create a continuous conductive envelope with overlapping seams and no gaps. Insulate devices from the foil with cardboard or plastic. Multiple layers improve contact and reduce pinholes. A quick phone-wrapped-in-foil test shows high‑frequency blocking but is not a full validation. [Elektroda, tadeusz12345, post #17222833]

Does a phone-in-foil test prove my Faraday cage works?

No. Phones use high-frequency bands, so this only shows blocking there. Shielding that stops phones may still leak at other frequencies. Formal verification uses controlled source-and-receiver methods defined by IEEE 299 to measure shielding effectiveness. [IEEE Std 299-2006]

What should I store inside for post-event use?

Prioritize microelectronics and comms gear: handheld radios, spare inverter or controller boards, charge controllers, laptops and SSDs, LED drivers, and vehicle ECU spares. Put items in antistatic bags, then insulate from the container walls. Keep duplicate critical cables inside. [CISA, 2019]

Will a CME or EMP destroy my generator or car?

CME impacts long conductors most, so vehicles and small generators are less exposed. In EMP testing, 6 of 37 vehicles had temporary issues but restarted; damage was limited. Protect and store spare control modules and keep vehicles disconnected when practical. [EMP Commission, 2008]

How do I build a DIY Faraday container in three steps?

  1. Choose an all‑metal trash can or ammo can; clean paint from mating edges.
  2. Add EMI gasket or conductive tape (e.g., 3M copper tape) around the lid; line interior with cardboard.
  3. Close firmly and seal seams; avoid any cables crossing the boundary; label contents. [CISA, 2019]

Can I run power cords or antennas through the cage?

Not directly. Every penetration must be filtered or implemented as a waveguide-below-cutoff. Use bulkhead EMI filters for power and signals. For airflow, use honeycomb or waveguide-below-cutoff vents. Unfiltered openings behave like slots and leak energy. [MIL-STD-188-125-1]

Is burying gear 1–3 meters underground a good alternative?

Yes. Burial under soil or water adds attenuation and reduces line-of-sight coupling. Put devices in sealed, conductive containers with bonded seams to maintain shielding. Ensure waterproofing and desiccant to prevent moisture damage. [Elektroda, tadeusz12345, post #17222833]

What are the biggest failure points in DIY cages?

Lids, doors, and seams dominate leakage. Paint or oxide can insulate mating surfaces. Long internal leads act as antennas. Long, thin external grounds increase coupling. Fix with bare metal-to-metal contact, EMI gaskets, conductive tape, and short, wide bonds. [Ott, 2009]

Will lead sheet or a bunker protect better?

Lead attenuates ionizing radiation, not radio-frequency fields. For EMI, use conductive materials like copper, aluminum, or steel, and ensure continuous bonding. A bunker helps only if its lining forms a continuous Faraday enclosure with tight seams. [Faraday cage - Wikipedia]

How can I quickly check continuity and sealing?

Measure resistance between lid and body at several points; aim for near‑zero ohms. Inspect for paint or gaps at seams. An AM radio inside should lose strong stations when the lid is sealed. Formal measurements follow IEEE 299 methods. [IEEE Std 299-2006]

Will a 5×5 mm galvanized mesh cage block mobile phones?

Yes, when seams are bonded and the door seals well. As observed, “Even a cell phone won’t work” inside such a cage. Ground the frame for safety and use EMI fingerstock on doors. This mesh size is small relative to cellular wavelengths. [Elektroda, kortyleski, post #17222635]
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