Preparedness for when

1Tonsil

The most likely source of an EMP is from a natural source,such as a sun flare or a lightning strike. We are very prone to them in this part of Greece and need to take precautions especially in the winter months when we have so much lightning around. I have seen a sudden surge blow a hole through the side of a microwave the size of a dinner plate. It was not turned on, but was plugged in.

We use a surge protector on all electrical goods, but sometimes it is not enough to save things. We have twice lost hard drives through electrical activity which has suddenly affected them and sim cards on the phones.

I got mine replaced for free by Vodaphone last time it happened. When I went to ask what I could do I found I was the sixth that morning it had happened to.

Frugalsod

1Tonsil wrote: »

The most likely source of an EMP is from a natural source,such as a sun flare or a lightning strike. We are very prone to them in this part of Greece and need to take precautions especially in the winter months when we have so much lightning around. I have seen a sudden surge blow a hole through the side of a microwave the size of a dinner plate. It was not turned on, but was plugged in.

We use a surge protector on all electrical goods, but sometimes it is not enough to save things. We have twice lost hard drives through electrical activity which has suddenly affected them and sim cards on the phones.

I got mine replaced for free by Vodaphone last time it happened. When I went to ask what I could do I found I was the sixth that morning it had happened to.

Solar eruptions are a major cause but they can be avoided. The mass of high energy plasma takes about three to four days to travel from the sun to the earth and the best way to protect your equipment is to simply turn everything off and unplug it. That was what I did the last storm that hit earth a few years ago.

Lightning causes massive surges within cables as well and so the same solution of unplugging everything does protect items.

I also have everything plugged into surge protectors as a precaution as well. It makes turning off everything easier and when there is an electrical risk it makes it easier to unplug multiple items at the same time.

1Tonsil

Yes we unplug if we have warnings of storms but sometimes it seems to come with no warning. I often wonder if its our position on the mountain, but others have it on the marina as well. Unfortunately our electric supply is also subject to sudden drops and surges. It is worse now than a few years ago, but that could be due to lack of money for maintenance of the system. If the water mains goes off we have to wait till the money is available to fix it!

thriftwizard

mardatha wrote: »

S is def going to HTF any minute in the Mard house. The RV is building up two Ikea units...

I've found it very much easier & more peaceful to build the dratted things myself... built a Hemnes day-bed solo last week! Him Indoors comes over all fretful at the mere sight of a large blue & yellow building in the distance, to be honest, and is best left to play in the garden on such occasions. Superheros don't do diy, or flat-pack assembly; he does rescuing people, foiling dastardly international plots and solving crimes*, I do the rest!

*ETA: oh, and gardening. Sort of.

mardatha

The RV just moans, really...

jk0

1Tonsil wrote: »

We have twice lost hard drives through electrical activity which has suddenly affected them and sim cards on the phones.

That's interesting 1T. Was the phone on charge at the time?

Nargleblast

Thank goodness mardatha has survived the RV' s DIY binge, I was about to send out the emergency ration packs of kale soup and jelly babies....

jk0

I don't know if any of you guys have heard of The Shea Show? It's one of my favourite YouTube channels nowadays.

Shea is a property manager in Detroit. He does video tours for foreign investors. However, some of the things his tenants do beggar belief.

Enjoy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EI7Wl_4!!!0

Edit: Looks like MSE are disallowing video links now. Try searching for the title if you still want to view.

Frugalsod

jk0 wrote: »

I don't know if any of you guys have heard of The Shea Show? It's one of my favourite YouTube channels nowadays.

Shea is a property manager in Detroit. He does video tours for foreign investors. However, some of the things his tenants do beggar belief.

Enjoy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EI7Wl_4!!!0

Edit: Looks like MSE are disallowing video links now. Try searching for the title if you still want to view.

Yes some tenants do use it as an excuse to basically strip a place blind but I have only come across one like that and he was a criminal to start with. He basically would rent a place then try several sub lets getting deposits and rent then before anyone moved in stripped the place bare of piping fittings etc. He did have a criminal record longer than your arm.

Frugalsod

I think this might be a great way for those with flats to compost any food waste.

http://www.treehugger.com/lawn-garden/pretty-diy-composting-system-doubles-planter.html