If metal garbage cans lined with cardboard/plastic and old microwaves to do work as mentioned in this thread could they simply be placed in a basement and still be effective or would they have to be grounded?
Depends who you talk to. The short answer is no. I do not ground any of my cages.
Be it known that the EMP wave can/is carried underground by underground pipes, if you have your faraday cage ground to a pipe, you have defeated its purpose. To a grounding spike maybe? 😕 😈
"We 'Prep.' to live after a downfall, Not just to survive."
J1234,
I would NOT use anything metal such as old tool boxes, if painted. All and I mean all joints..the lid, etc MUST be metal on metal. By an Aluminum Garbage can and make the mods anywhere a gap of more that 1/32 "is noticed especially between the lid and upper can body. That's what I did. Furthe Microwave, Fridges, old stoves, freezers or other sealed appliances are a no-no. Both being painted (non-metal to metal and the seal gap ruins there effectiveness against EMP protection. Easyway to tell if the unit you made is working is as follows. Seal in a cell phone-on. Call it's number. If it's silent, you have an EMP Protected Faraday Cage. Keep in mind 1/4" squares Chicken wire to Aluminum screen-door mesh (BOTH NON-Painted will work) as long as the electromic goods inside are sealled in plastic or plastic zip-lock bags. All edges must overlapTIGHT 2-4 inches.