roadfix
Chef Extraordinaire
Of course, anything electrical can automatically be switched to run off battery power, if cut off. I'm sure these devices can be modified so they can never be killed.
The missing 777 Malaysian plane
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GB
Chief Eating Officer
Where there is a will there is a way. EMP would be one way.
GotGarlic
Chef Extraordinaire
No doubt. I know next to nothing about this stuff.
So, put it in a Faraday cage.
GB
Chief Eating Officer
So you open the cage first then set off the EMP.
Rocket_J_Dawg
Sous Chef
When I was in the Air Force all electrical devices had to be shut off before we could commence refuelling. I found this on the internet.
"Basically everything that consumes power on a aircraft can potentially cause interference, short-circuts, or otherwise jeopardize the safety of flight and therefore must be switchable. Sometimes the switch is in the form a button, otherwise by a fuse.
There are several particular reasons that the transponder can be turned off.
If the transponder malfunctions, it may cause interruptions to all ATC surveillance in an area. There have been instances in the past that due to a fault in the transponder it was basically acting as a jammer.
In one particular incident it took a while before the aircraft that caused it was identified and after requesting the pilot to switch of the transponder, secondary surveillance was restored.
Another reason is that when the aircraft is at the gate, the transponder is switched of to reduce the amount of radio transmissions. 100 aircraft on the surface of a large airport can produce a massive Radio Frequency noise, which negatively affect radar systems. When taxiing, radar replies are useful for aircraft identification, hence the transponder is switched on at pushback or engine start."
I had to look up Faraday Cage. So THAT'S what that mesh is in my microwave oven! Now I've learned something new---- at least it's name, not how it works! That's over my head.
I just love discussions like this---- dribs and drabs keep dribbling through.
Do you think that what was written in Aviation Week could be connected to plane crash? (I know nothing about this kind of 'stuff' so my question may be totally off topic.)
Boeing, FAA Cut 777 Cyber Vulnerability
Your car is a Faraday cage. So if you are inside your car, even if it got hit by lightening, provided you aren't touching the metal of the car, you won't be electrocuted by the lightening.I had to look up Faraday Cage. So THAT'S what that mesh is in my microwave oven! Now I've learned something new---- at least it's name, not how it works! That's over my head.
I just love discussions like this---- dribs and drabs keep dribbling through.
Rocket_J_Dawg
Sous Chef
I don't believe so. I read the article you posted and yes it's maybe plausible, but I would think Boeing is smarter than to have their entertainment system interlinked with the nav system. However, one thing that has always made me think is, on all the flights we take every year, we have access to the GPS tracking on the consoles (or the tv's) of the planes position. It has always made me a bit uncomfortable. Maybe it's my prior career in the Air Force.
Roll_Bones
Master Chef
That would be true to an extent if the car was made completely of metal and constructed in a way to allow electrons to move freely along the outside of the vehicle without penetrating the vehicle.
Most cars would fail this test miserably.
Faraday cages can do little if anything to protect from a direct lightning strike.
The only protection a car can provide from a direct lightning strike is the tires. They insulate the vehicle from the ground and do not allow the current to pass through the vehicle frame.
There is also a small degree of physical protection from the heat itself.
But make no mistake.
If lightning were to hit your car directly and you are inside the car, the chance of death is very high. The keyword is "direct strike".
I would rather be in a car during a lightning storm than being outside in it. But given the choice and knowing the magnitude of a lightning strike, I would prefer to be inside my house away from any windows.
If the car was a good faraday cage, you would not be able to use your cell phone in it.
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RB, I was taught, when I studied physics, that a car is a Faraday cage. Of course, that was a long time ago and there wasn't as much plastic in the cars. Maybe someone here who is more up to date on this stuff could verify or refute what RB wrote about Faraday cages and cars.
GB
Chief Eating Officer
A Farady cage would would absolutely make it so your phone would not work in your car.
Okay, I Googled. It seems that a car is a partial Faraday cage. Also, cell phones work better when they are closer to the windows.
Vehicles and Lightning - National Lightning Safety Institute
Vehicles and Lightning - National Lightning Safety Institute
Edward Snowden had some Chinese lawyers put their cell phones in the fridge so, when meeting with him, there couldn't be any eavesdropping.
But this guy proved Snowden wrong. OR there just weren't any cocktail shakers available at that meeting.
Edward Snowden: Can a Refrigerator Function as a Faraday Cage? | MAKE
Full disclosure from the NYT piece referenced:
"Although not all fridges function this way, those constructed with more metal have the potential to serve this purpose."
But this guy proved Snowden wrong. OR there just weren't any cocktail shakers available at that meeting.
Edward Snowden: Can a Refrigerator Function as a Faraday Cage? | MAKE
Full disclosure from the NYT piece referenced:
"Although not all fridges function this way, those constructed with more metal have the potential to serve this purpose."
Addie
Chef Extraordinaire
When we lived in Texas, we lived in a large trailer. One night there was a bad storm right overhead. A lightening strike hit the trailer. The next morning we went out to look. The whole side of the trailer starting at the top where the electrical was connected to the pole and all the way to the tires, was burnt and cut by the strike. Part of the tires were melted into the ground. I am still not sure what a Faraday Cage is, but I will assume we were in one that night. And I am forever grateful for those tires on that trailer. 
GB
Chief Eating Officer
Addie, first off, glad you were OK. That must have been very scary.
Just because something protects you from a lightning strike does not make it a Faraday cage, so your assumption that you were in one is not necessarily true.
Just because something protects you from a lightning strike does not make it a Faraday cage, so your assumption that you were in one is not necessarily true.
Addie
Chef Extraordinaire
GB
Chief Eating Officer
Exactly, which is why I was mentioning that your assumption is not a sound oneLike I said, I am still not sure what a Faraday Cage is.
Roll_Bones
Master Chef
When we lived in Texas, we lived in a large trailer. One night there was a bad storm right overhead. A lightening strike hit the trailer. The next morning we went out to look. The whole side of the trailer starting at the top where the electrical was connected to the pole and all the way to the tires, was burnt and cut by the strike. Part of the tires were melted into the ground. I am still not sure what a Faraday Cage is, but I will assume we were in one that night. And I am forever grateful for those tires on that trailer.
Glad you guys were okay.
Since the destruction started at the top of the electrical service, it is entirely possible you did not receive a direct strike. Since you are alive to tell us this, I must assume it was not a direct strike.
The lightning most likely hit the tallest structure in your immediate area. Could have been the pole that serves your dwelling.
This would be evident by the destruction of the electrical service entering the dwelling.
I am afraid that if the lightning had hit the trailer directly, the trailer most like would be destroyed.
Most strikes reported are not actually direct strikes. They are reports from people close by that feel and see the effect of the strike.
Those that live through this, in large part not directly hit by lightning.
Here ya go Addie. A description of a Faraday cage. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faraday_cage
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