The generator is one of the most used and effective electronic devices in the world. It is used to generate electricity by converting mechanical energy. The generator comes in handy when there load shedding occurs.
Today, we are going to discuss whether a generator will work or not after an emp.
What is EMP?
The full form of EMP is the Electromagnetic pulse. EMP is also known as Transient Electromagnetic Disturbance (TED). Short surges of electromagnetic energy are characterized as Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP).
An electromagnetic pulse can occur naturally or artificially. Electromagnetic pulse is like radio waves but it is more powerful than radio waves.
Electromagnetic pulse is a result of nuclear gamma radiation getting absorbed in the air and ground. EMP can cause electromagnetic interference in electrical devices like generators. This interference can damage electronic devices greatly.
An electromagnetic pulse can happen in four forms. These are electromagnetic fields, electric fields, magnetic fields, and electrical conduction.
An electromagnetic pulse (EMP) can disable electronic devices by causing minor electrical noise and interference. But a large energy-filled EMP can possibly cause permanent damage to electronic devices.
Sometimes interference suppressors are installed in electronic devices to fight against interferences caused by EMP.
A powerful electromagnetic pulse can even cause accidents sometimes. Prevention measures must be taken against EMP in order to avoid such accidents.
Will my generator work after an emp?
A generator working after an EMP depends on the magnitude of the EMP event. A low-level EMP will only cause noise and interference in a generator. But a mid-level EMP can cause repairable damage in a generator. On the other hand, a high-level EMP can permanently damage a generator.
Let’s look at different types of generators to figure out whether they work or not after an emp.
Portable generator:
A portable generator is a useful electronic device for homes and offices to tackle the shortage of electrical power and load shedding. A portable generator has five parts that it is made of. They are an internal combustion engine, fuel tank, alternator, outlets, and starter.
The internal combustion engine is the most important part of a portable generator. It is responsible for turning the fuel into mechanical energy. The job of an alternator is to turn that mechanical energy into electricity.
Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) generates due to two phenomena. One is geomagnetic storms created by the sun and the other one is a nuclear discharge. A low level of EMP event can cause minor interference in your portable generator.
But a powerful EMP event can cause permanent damage to important parts of your portable generator.
In that case, you will have to repair the generator by a professional or buy a new one. But what an EMP can cause to your portable generator is not really in your hand as it is a natural phenomenon.
Gas generator:
Just like a portable generator, a gas generator also gets affected by Electromagnetic pulse (EMP). The magnitude of the EMP determines the damage it causes to a gas generator. A minor EMP event will not permanently damage the components of a gas generator.
But a powerful EMP event can cause permanent damage to a gas generator and make it inoperable.
A massive EMP event can sometimes cause accidents that can harm both you and your generator. It is better to buy generators that have interference suppressors inside them.
Does an EMP destroy electronics like generators that are turned off?
An EMP destroying electronics like generators that are turned off depends on a lot of things. First of all, we will need to focus on the magnitude of the EMP event.
If it is a minor Electromagnetic pulse event, then it will not destroy electronics like generators that are turned off. In that case, you can just keep your generator turned off if you sense an EMP event.
But if it is a high-level EMP event, then it can destroy electronic devices even if they are turned off. This happens because Electromagnetic pulse is identified as the source of energy responsible for inducing current in electronic devices.
The only way electrical devices like generators can be protected against an EMP event is by building a Faraday Cage around it. There is no alternative to it.
What does an emp actually do to electronics? How will an EMP affect my home generator?
An EMP can have drastic effects on electronics. The generator is not safe from the effects of an EMP. Here is how an EMP will affect your home generator. They are:
Can cause noise:
A minor level EMP even will cause noise inside your home generator. If you hear a strange noise coming from your generator, you should switch off your home generator immediately.
Can cause interference:
A low-level EMP event can cause interference in your home generator. Your home generator will start showing symptoms of dysfunction when interferences occur. It is better to buy a home generator that has a pre-installed interference suppressor inside it.
Can cause repairable damage:
A mid-level EMP event can cause repairable damage to your home generator. Meaning it will harm the parts of your home generator to an extend that can be repaired. Other than that, you will not face much damage.
Can cause permanent damage:
Your home generator is made of an internal combustion engine, fuel tank, alternator, starter, and outlets. A powerful EMP event can cause permanent physical damage to these parts. Meaning you will need to buy a new home generator.
Can cause an accident:
In the worst-case scenario, an EMP event can cause accidents by setting your home generator on fire. An EMP event is unpredictable and has the ability to cause harm to both you and your home generator.
How do I protect my generator from an emp?
Let’s talk about the protective measures you can take to protect your generator from an EMP. They are:
By making a Faraday cage:
The best way to protect your generator from an EMP is by making a faraday cage around it. It is a proven protective measure against an EMP event. You can make a Faraday cage at home with easily available materials.
Faraday cage is an inexpensive way of protecting your generator from the drastic effects of an EMP event.
A Faraday cage protects your generator by shielding it from the electromagnetic energy created by an EMP event.
By buying a Faraday bag:
If you want to avoid the hassle of making a Faraday cage, you can buy a Faraday bag from an electronic store to protect your generator from an EMP event.
These Faraday bags are military-grade bags that are made with the purpose of shielding electronic devices from an EMP event.
You can put your home generator inside the Faraday bag to protect it from an Electromagnetic pulse. These Faraday bags are big enough to accommodate your home generator.
How to make a faraday cage for a generator?
Making a faraday cage for a generator involves many steps. Let’s discuss them in detail –
Arranging the equipment:
You can make a faraday cage with easily available equipment. This equipment is also inexpensive. Making a faraday cage by yourself will not cost you much.
You will need plywood, cardboard sheets, screws, hinges, sealant caulk, L-brackets, measuring tape, duct tape, and aluminium foil. Arrange this equipment and you will be good to go.
Design the Faraday cage:
First of all, designing the faraday cage beforehand will make the implementation process easy. While designing the cage, you will need to take into consideration the size of your generator as the faraday cage is going to be a four-sided box.
Join the parts:
Next, you will need to put all the parts together. You will have to begin this process by attaching the sides of the faraday cage onto the bottom part. You will be required to use the deck screws to finish this task.
The top part of the Faraday cage needs to attach with the help of hinges.
Put the aluminium foil inside:
The aluminium foil acts as the Electromagnetic pulse protective layer in a Faraday cage. You will need to put multiple layers of aluminium foil inside the Faraday cage. You will have to use four to five layers of aluminium foil at least for better protection against an EMP event.
Use the cardboard sheets:
Finally, you will need to put cardboard sheets on top of the aluminium foil layers using duct tape. This will prevent the aluminium foil from making direct contact with your generator.
The cardboard sheets will protect the aluminium foil from becoming the host of Electromagnetic pulses. This will conclude the process of making a Faraday cage.
Final Thoughts
A powerful Electromagnetic pulse(EMP) can cause permanent damages to the parts of a generator. One can build a Faraday cage around a generator to protect it from the effects of an EMP event. But the low-level and mid-level EMPs will not cause permanent damage to a generator.