This article will deal with a theory on how and why batteries and equipment will seemingly go "dead" during investigations, only to return to normal at a later time. This theory was developed in conjunction with Bob R. and Steve A. of PIRA and Joe and Mindy Fischer of LVGHS.

        So, the question here is…why does the power on our video cameras or recorders suddenly go out, and then come back on again? Let's look at what we know.

                1- The batteries do not stay "dead," so the electrical power they contain does not get discharged.

                2- The device (camera, video, audio recorder) may malfunction, but resumes normal operation at a later time or when moved to a different location.

                3- The device seems to operate normally when NOT in a haunted location or when there is NO activity detected.

        We've come to the conclusion that a ghost or spirit is disrupting the power of the device, not the device itself. Ok, so how are they doing it? Some theories simply say it's an electromagnetic field that causes it, but they don't explain why. We think we may have an answer. This idea got started late one night on the way home from an investigation with Joe and Mindy from the LVGHS, then got thrown around to other members of PIRA. So let's get to it.

        There are two basic lessons we must learn to put this theory together. Lesson one starts with the basics in electricity. Ordinary electric current is the flow of electrons through a wire conductor. The electron is one of the basic constituents of matter carrying a unit charge of negative electricity. An atom consists of a small, dense, positively charged nucleus surrounded by electrons that whirl about it in orbits, forming a cloud of charge. Electrons are dislodged from one atom to another atom by a charge. This charge comes from the batteries we supply. The charge dislodges one electron from an atom, which jumps over and dislodges another electron from the next atom. Thus, you have current (=electricity). Ta-daa!

        Lesson two deals with atomic particles, or more specifically, the electron. The lesson in electricity ties in nicely here. Through research on the Internet, I've learned that a neutral atom or group of atoms becomes an ion by gaining or losing one or more electrons or protons. If an atom or group of atoms loses electrons or gains protons, it will have a net positive (+) charge and is called a Cation. If an atom or group of atoms gains electrons or loses protons, it will have a net negative (-) charge and is called an Anion. Bottom line, less electrons = Cation, more electrons = Anion.

        Now, with these two lessons under our belt, let's get to this theory. The power in our cameras, video and other equipment comes from batteries and "house" current. Since we already know that the batteries do not discharge their power, we must assume that the power is being disrupted. Now, how can the electricity be disrupted? I believe it has something to do with the ions.

        I've seen many teams list among their equipment, a Negative Ion Counter. I never really understood why, until I started researching this article. To tell you the truth, I don't think many of those teams even know why. Here's my take; the energy that is the essence of spirits is composed of or gives off an electromagnetic field. I believe that this field contains an excess of electrons or perhaps produces an excess due to the interaction of the spirit's energy with the environment. In either case, this would be giving the field a negative (-) charge.

        When the spirit approaches any of our equipment, the negative charge of the anions (contained within the spirit's energy, or perhaps a by-product of its energy) interacts with the electrons flowing through the wiring of our equipment. The interaction comes from the negatively charged electrons flowing though the camera's wiring, being repelled to the electromagnetic field surrounding the spirit. By repelling, and essentially removing the electrons creating the flow of electricity, the power is then disrupted. Every charged particle is surrounded by an electric field of force such that it attracts any charge of opposite sign brought near it and repels any charge of like sign. This force is much stronger than the gravitational force between two particles and is responsible for holding protons and electrons together in atoms and for chemical bonding. So, in plain English, the ghost's energy is forcing the equipment's power to stop, thus you will have a camera that temporarily does not work.

        When the spirit moves away from the area, the repelling nature of its energy is taken away from our equipment, thus allowing the flow of electrons to again resume. The end result is a piece of equipment that temporarily loses power, but resumes normal operation in a few minutes. It's kind of like a cop stopping traffic…when he puts his hands up, all traffic stops. When he puts them down, the flow of traffic resumes.

        Could this be the answer? Perhaps. Much more research needs to be done in this subject, but I dare say that this is the best explanation I've heard so far. Even as I write this, more questions pop up in my mind. For example, there are investigations that I've been involved in where the EM field is very slight, yet this EMD effect takes place. So, is a ghost truly producing an electromagnetic field or an energy that's just very, very similar? Also, how large of an area does this field cover? Our measurements only hit the edge of the field, we never get a measurement of the size of the field. The biggest question is…is this an unintentional side effect or can a ghost or spirit control this disruption?

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