Electronic Safe Keypads & EMP event

[Pinetop]

Perhaps there is an Electronics, Electric, or Nuclear engineer in our group that could address my question.

Given the popularity of gun safes with electronic keypad operation rather that the old dial type manual operator, what is the probability that a safe with a battery operated keypad equipped safe that was kept in a state where the battery was not connected, could survive an EMP attack by Russia, China, or whatever crackpot county wanted to end the world.

So my question would be, when the EMP occurred when no battery was installed in the safe, a day or so after the EMP attack, could we install a new battery, and get the safe open?

This worries me greatly, so your thoughts are much appreciated.

 

[Doc]

Mine makes claims it’s EMP proof. I’ll update after the EMP.

Plan accordingly.

Eggs, basket, you know the drill

 

[SupportTheSecond]

Only the older electronic locks are supposed to be a problem. All the newer ones for the most part are hardened against EMP issues. But also many as a back up have a key unlock option so there's that.

 

[campinginaz]

The larger safe stores still carry or can order a safe with a mechanical lock, I don't like the electrical locks at all, they are more likely to go bad in my opinion. I didn't know some are EMP proof like Doc and SupportTheSecond mentioned above. If you have an older electrical lock maybe it can be replaced with a newer one.

 

[iammaxwell]

Are they tested against real EMPs, or is it theoretical (a.k.a. marketing (a.k.a. snake oil))?

 

[QuangTri]

The battery has nothing to do with EMP failures.

The failure comes from a current surge caused by the EMP, which can burn out semiconductors.
This is why old tube type electronics are immune.

 

[Doc]

Are they tested against real EMPs, or is it theoretical (a.k.a. marketing (a.k.a. snake oil))?

Idk if it’s worth the digital ink and the online paper it’s written on but here is the claim of the lock I use.

https://www.libertysafe.com/blogs/the-vault/are-there-emp-resistant-safe-locks

We're also proud to announce that our SecuRam TopLit, SecuRam BackLit, and SecuRam ProLogic safe locks were recently tested and certified as EMP resistant by Dayton T. Brown Laboratories, the largest independent A2LA accredited testing lab in the United States. This is the same lab that tests equipment for the military.
You can rest assured that if an EMP catastrophe strikes, you will be able to get into your safe.

 

[QuangTri]

Note they do not claim what energy density they were tested to, vs. what the military test is.
There are a lot of different levels, depending on what the hardware is, and what level of shielding is present to start with.

May indeed be the same lab. Without the standard and level tested to, does not mean squat.

Being a skeptic, I ordered my liberty with a mechanical lock.

 

[AZNOKAOI]

I wonder how the test these? Would it be a similar scenario to an actual EMP event? There has to be a difference between a solar event and a manmade EMP. So the testing has to be legit.

 

[Doc]

I wonder how the test these? Would it be a similar scenario to an actual EMP event? There has to be a difference between a solar event and a manmade EMP. So the testing has to be legit.

It’s prob as legit as Snopes

 

[AZNOKAOI]

I wonder how the test these? Would it be a similar scenario to an actual EMP event? There has to be a difference between a solar event and a manmade EMP. So the testing has to be legit.

It’s prob as legit as Snopes

Well, finding out the hard way isn't going to be very fun. Here's to hoping! :lol:

 

[Doc]

I wonder how the test these? Would it be a similar scenario to an actual EMP event? There has to be a difference between a solar event and a manmade EMP. So the testing has to be legit.

It’s prob as legit as Snopes

Well, finding out the hard way isn't going to be very fun. Here's to hoping! :lol:

I keep one sharp gun out of the safe just incase.

 

[QuangTri]

I wonder how the test these? Would it be a similar scenario to an actual EMP event? There has to be a difference between a solar event and a manmade EMP. So the testing has to be legit.

The intensity of gamma radiation from a nuke in space certainly is not producible in a lab.

This outfit does do testing using other methods for generating pulses.

https://nts.com/services/testing/emc/electromagnetic-pulse-testing/

 

[Doc]

I wonder how the test these? Would it be a similar scenario to an actual EMP event? There has to be a difference between a solar event and a manmade EMP. So the testing has to be legit.

The intensity of gamma radiation from a nuke in space certainly is not producible in a lab.

This outfit does do testing using other methods for generating pulses.

https://nts.com/services/testing/emc/electromagnetic-pulse-testing/

The Gamma radiation doesn’t do the damage to electrical devices. It does rip electrons off you and me but ionizing radiation doesn’t destroy electronics.

It’s the electromagnetic field that damages the electronics.

Some good info:
The term "electromagnetic pulse" generally excludes optical (infrared, visible, ultraviolet) and ionizing (such as X-ray and gamma radiation) ranges.

But sure, a high altitude blast won’t have me trying to get into the safe, I’ll be busy getting behind my water walls of boronated h2o….oh wait, I left those at work.

 

[QuangTri]

The Gamma radiation doesn’t do the damage to electrical devices. It does rip electrons off you and me but ionizing radiation doesn’t destroy electronics.

It’s the electromagnetic field that damages the electronics.

yep, the induced currents blow stuff like a fuse popping.

<snip>

I’ll be busy getting behind my water walls of boronated h2o….oh wait, I left those at work.

At the bottom of your pool would be a good spot, but your electronics might not be pleased.

interesting reading about the size of things and vulnerability. Depending on how you take it, a small safe lock box might not be a prime candidate for EMP burnout.

 

[Manitu]

The event right before the EMP would concern me a whole lot more.

 

[Cmoor]

I just wrap tin foil around mine.... lol

 

[Doc]

At the bottom of your pool would be a good spot, but your electronics might not be pleased.

Can I get a hand moving my safe into the pool? It’s not heavy, just bulky

 

[Tenring]

Mechanical lock for me on mine, some say a little slower to get open ..... well that depends.

 

[John Jonson_83]

It all depends on the power of the local EMI. It seems to me that the absence of batteries does not solve anything.