EMP

The threat of an Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) or High Altitude Electromagnetic Pulse (HEMP) event , whether natural or man-made has been widely known since the cold war days.

There are  three distinct components of an electromagnetic pulse: fast, medium and slow. The fast component [20/550 ns pulse] is essentially an electromagnetic shock-wave that can temporarily or permanently disrupt the functioning of electronic devices.

The medium-speed component [1.5/5000 µs pulse] of EMP covers roughly the same geographic area as the fast one, but the peak power level of its electrical shock is much lower. However, since it follows the fast component by a small fraction of a second, the medium-speed component has the potential to do extensive damage to systems whose protective and control features have been impaired or destroyed by the first onslaught.

The first two EMP components are followed by a third one - a slow component [0.2/25 s pulse] resulting from the expansion of the explosion’s fireball in the Earth’s magnetic field. It is this slow component - a pulse that lasts tens of seconds to minutes - which creates disruptive currents in electricity transmission lines, resulting in damage to electrical supply and distribution systems connected to such lines. Just as the second component compounds the destructive impact of the first, the third pulse causes even greater damage to power grids and related infrastructure.

Our solution to mitigating EMP considers the entire electric system. System hardening is first line of defense for protection from an EMP. We us a four prong approach for EMP mitigation: Sheilding, Grounding, Filtering and Surge suppression.

Sheilding protects you from the first two components of and EMP which travel through the air.  The principles of a Faraday barrier have been widely known since the discovery of electricity. A Faraday barrier is basically a “cocoon” with your sensitive electrical systems inside that can not be penetrated by an EMP.

Filtering protects against low energy high frequency surges that are induced into the power transmission lines.

Surge suppression is designed to protect from high energy low frequency surges.

Grounding is designed to shunt the high energy captured by shielding, filtering  and surge protection systems back to the ground.

Electex can provide custom solutions foryour unique  circumstances. Contact us today to learn how we can assist you.