EMP, the silent threat.......

E.M.P.



Our increasing reliance on electronic technology, the increasing circuit density of our processors and systems makes us dependant on electronics. For the current human race in the western world, a network down, or a broken server or computer, brings people to a standstill. Its as if they are experiencing a total power outage. For the reasons of communication in all industries it is becoming vitally important that we protect ourselves from EMP effects. Protection from EMP can be achieved with the use of filters and or metal shielding in most instances. It is thought that the majority of electronic devices could survive an EMP attack, due mainly to the inherent shielding within most systems. Vehicles for example may survive due the enclosures the computers are housed within, required to deal with the cruel electromagnetic environments they are subjected to.

A significant area of concern would be for mission critical electronics and communications. If just 5% of these products failed, the results would be catastrophic. Power lines around the world are protected against lightning strikes, but are not tested against EMP. A lightning strike on a power grid could put a large population in the dark for some considerable time. The effects of a pulse traveling at the speed of light damaging electronics over the USA is a very major concern. Imagine a coordinated attack across Europe, Asia and the US, even with failure rates at 5%, the results would be chaotic. To prove or disprove the expected 5% failure rate, systems would need to be tested with EMP simulators.

An electromagnetic pulse from a weapon could destroy the grid, bringing down the financial markets, shutting down data centers, causing the transport system to grind to a halt, and plunging hospitals and schools into darkness. Lifts would stop in their tracks, and security systems could be rendered useless.

We are finding more interest in protecting against EMP. There are fears that large sectors of the world could be shut down by an EMP attack. It remains that an air attack would be more severe than a ground attack, although the possibility of small bombs to bring down financial markets is a growing fear. We therefore need to protect electronics and our infrastructure from this threat.

E.M.P. Weapons And Effects.



There are two types of EMP weapons, narrow band and ultra wideband. Wideband weapons are not as effective as narrow band, they consume massive amounts of power and would be extremely expensive to manufacture. Narrow band weapons once designed can be reused, this potentially puts the threat into a different league.

The dangers from EMP attacks are almost indescribable. The following scenarios are possible following targeted attacks:
  • Financial Markets Shut Down, Global target attacks would cause economic disaster
  • Transport Traffic Control, Rail Services would cause possible carnage
  • Airport Control Towers, Could be blind to aircraft still in the sky
  • Telecommunications' Restricted or zero use of telephones, data centers and news reports
  • Infrastructure Electronics Damaged, Retail, Banks, Street Lights
  • Hospitals, Intensive Care Units, Emergency Services Shut Down
The list would go on. Protection from this threat should be considered by electronics manufacturers, and utility companies to provide peace of mind in uncertain times, and protection in the event of a terrorist EMP strike. A narrow band weapon designed to be reused could be disastrous, weapons can be hidden and difficult to locate, with the perpetrators repeating the attack at will.

Managing E.M.P.



Switzerland took the threat seriously, updating essential services with EMP protection, fearing an attack in Europe, even if not involved in combat they realized they could be affected.

Although power supplies and systems can be protected to a certain degree against EMP with line filters, the design must be carefully managed. It is at least worth designing EMP protection into electronic products, in the event of a power outage caused by an EMP strike, assuming generator power takes over, equipment and communications would be kept alive, as they would have been protected from the same surge that removed the grid power.
If you want to consider EMP protection for your product contact Peritus Power first. We can work under NDA and advise you the best course of action. It would be unwise to buy the first filter you find on the internet, or take advice from non experts in this field. NEMP, EMP are all expert categories Peritus Power can advise on. We will provide for and against arguments for EMP protecting your product if you are unsure of the necessity.