Best Electronic Components to Store
Essential Electronics
Here is a list of electronic components you should store in a Faraday cage. A Faraday cage is something that protects contents from EMP pulses.
Wire
Wire
Wires will be burned out in the event of an EMP pulse, this can happen due to a solar flare or nuclear explosion. I recommend many types of wire and gauges are stored. Don't forget communication and sound delivering wire types.
Breadboards
There are two types of breadboards, reusable and non reusable (kind of).
Reusable
Reusable breadboards are very good for indoor solutions and can be modified many times without damage. Electronics hobbyists use these to prototype a circuit design.
Single Use*
These are used for more permanent projects and are often housed in sturdy enclosures that protects from the elements. In an EMP event working electronic components will be in short supply and permanent projects will be discouraged in favour of reusable set-ups.
*You can de-solder the connections, but the chance of damage is high, especially after several times.
Rechargeable Batteries
Batteries
Make sure that a range of sizes are stored, including odd battery types. Also consider storing both NiMH and lithium powered batteries as well. Lithium types are easier to build chargers for as the voltage change can be measured, whereas NiMH are complex and can vent if overheated.
Solar Cells
cell
I recommend getting the cells themselves instead of panels as they are easier to store. B grade cells are very cheap with only minor physical defects that does not effect output. Monocrystalline cells should also be stored as the are more efficient across all weather conditions. Remember that Polycrystalline cells are designed direct sunlight and will do poorly in bad weather.
Diodes
Diodes
Important for a range of purposes but I am thinking of the N1007 diode which prevents current from leaving you system when a solar panel is off. Bypass diodes can also be added to a home made solar panel, so that it works when shaded. Don't forget zenerdiodes either.
Capacitors
Capacitors
Particularly useful in alarm circuits to sound a buzzer, make sure you store many different types. I recommend the standard electrolytic capacitors and some tantalum ones as well.
Switches
Rocket Switch
Ever system needs an on/off mechanism of some sort. Although non fused switches should be ok, fused switches will be damaged by an EMP pulse. Get a variety of switches, both the 3 pin ones and the simple + - too. Add buttons if you are ambitious.
Transistors
Transistors
Another useful component for amplifying for switching electronic signals. Storing these will allow you to build more efficient systems and some basic computers like a calculator.
Fuses
Fuses
An EMP pulse will melt almost all fuses, so this is the number one component to store in large quantities. Car, power supply and plug fuses are the most useful to store, before moving on to other types.
LED's
LED's
Essential for light but there are many types out there, for example UV light LED's. These could be used in water filtration systems to disinfect the water, they can also be used on plants to kill fungus. Different colours help plants grow quicker and increase yield. Infrared LED's can be used in security systems.
Conclusion
I hope this has given you some ideas, remember to Survive and Thrive!
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Thank you for sharing this information. A lot of people don't give much thought to protecting their electronics, let along what electronics they should actually store. This is good info. Upvoted, Resteemed, and followed.
Hi @aspieprepper, useful post. I hadn't thought of storing electronic components like this. I am only a novice at electronics.
What sort of Faraday cage would you recommend? Have you built one yourself?
I have heard that an old microwave would do the job, but I don't know if that is totally true?
A old metal dustbin with the lid duct taped on should suffice. I would get two old dustbins and put one within another for double protection.
I saw DisasterPrepper do a test on that and he said no, it wouldn't work.
He did a test recently on EMF shielding cloth. He said that works and that would probably be easier to wrap around a bunch of electronic stuff.
Nice to know! What ways would you recommend? I was thinking of burying the trashcan btw, maybe use the cloth as a inner lining?
If you are using the EMF shielding cloth, I think putting it in the trashcan would be over kill. But, it would be grounded, so that should increase its effectiveness.
That's useful. I have a spare new galvo bin. It was dented during delivery so the company sent me a new one as well.
I guess, if you could afford it, it would probably be better to get a few of those seelable EMP bags and store them in there. Since you probably won't use them unless an event happened.
I would suggest anti static bags as well, they are good for long term storage. Although wont protect against EMP.
There are EMP bags, not the same as the anti-static bags.
Yes people reading this should remember the distinction.
Any ideas on where you can get the EMP bags in the UK?
Look for EMF Shielding instead of EMP.
EMF shielding is huge in Europe. But, you probably will have to get it on-line.
For example : http://www.electrosmogshielding.co.uk/product.asp?P_ID=624
Thanks for that.
Upvoted. You've given some insight about a lot of electronics that the average person might not even consider storing, yet these are things that would come in very handy in a SHTF situation.
This information will be very valuable to our community. I have upvoted and have shared this post on our facebook wall. Hopefully we can get you some traffic and new followers. :-)
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