EMP effect on unwired electrical equipments

[test2k8]

There is mixed response over how much an unwired electrical equipments in off-mode is damanged by EMP. If an electrical equipment is disconnect completely cuting off from any power supply, AC outlet, conductor, can the EMP generates electrical current to damage the equipments? In fact, can it even overcome the circuit breaker which is protected against high-voltage current causing it to overload?

 

[berkeman]

There is mixed response over how much an unwired electrical equipments in off-mode is damanged by EMP. If an electrical equipment is disconnect completely cuting off from any power supply, AC outlet, conductor, can the EMP generates electrical current to damage the equipments? In fact, can it even overcome the circuit breaker which is protected against high-voltage current causing it to overload?

What is the context of your question? Why are you asking? We do not allow discussions of dangerous activities here...

 

[test2k8]

What is the context of your question? Why are you asking? We do not allow discussions of dangerous activities here...

I got into a discussion with a person who believe that it doesn't matter if equipment is in off-mode, connect or disconnect from any power supply, the EMP can generate electrical current into the wire to cause damage to internal breaker, which I am in disagreement with because to my knowledge in physics of electricity that I have learned in the past, but still unsure since EMP never in active used yet. So just wondering if it can damage to unwired, off-mode electronics.Sorry if it caused dangerous activities. But I think it's important to let the mass understand the damage and how to prevent it from causing further damage.

I really want to know the answer in theory and in practice. In theory, I know it can but the chance is minimal. In practice, it probably won't.

Feel free to delete this topic if you think it's inappropriate. I am just wishing to know an answer from a physicist standpoint.

 

[berkeman]

I got into a discussion with a person who believe that it doesn't matter if equipment is in off-mode, connect or disconnect from any power supply, the EMP can generate electrical current into the wire to cause damage to internal breaker, which I am in disagreement with because to my knowledge in physics of electricity that I have learned in the past, but still unsure since EMP never in active used yet. So just wondering if it can damage to unwired, off-mode electronics.


Sorry if it caused dangerous activities. But I think it's important to let the mass understand the damage and how to prevent it from causing further damage.

I really want to know the answer in theory and in practice. In theory, I know it can but the chance is miminal. In practice, it probably won't.

Feel free to delete this topic if you think it's inappropriate. I am just wishing to know an answer from a physics.

Do you honestly think it's a likely enough possibility that you are going to spend the time and effort to shield the electronics in your home? And how will you know when to turn them off? Is there a nuclear attack warning siren nearby?

 

[test2k8]

Do you honestly think it's a likely enough possibility that you are going to spend the time and effort to shield the electronics in your home? And how will you know when to turn them off? Is there a nuclear attack warning siren nearby?

No. I certainly think people are overexagerating EMP as an indefensible, destructive force like nuclear weapon. No doubt that it is a dangerous weapon, but it causes harm only to electronics, grid, and satellite, similar to how solar storm can cause electronic malfunction without taking protective measure.

Well, I know that in practice, it is not realistic to take this measure. That's why I want to know in a hypothetical scenario if EMP can damage to unwire electronic equipment. It can depend on several factors such as how much concentration the electron is induced into the wire, but lightning and EMP are not exactly the same.

 

[berkeman]

No. I certainly think people are overexagerating EMP as an indefensible, destructive force like nuclear weapon. No doubt that it is a dangerous weapon, but it causes harm only to electronics, grid, and satellite, similar to how solar storm can cause electronic malfunction without taking protective measure.

Well, I know that in practice, it is not realistic to take this measure. That's why I want to know in a hypothetical scenario if EMP can damage to unwire electronic equipment. It can depend on several factors such as how much concentration the electron is induced into the wire, but lightning and EMP are not exactly the same.

I'll just say this. It is true that if equipment is powered, it is more likely to be damaged by EMP, and the damage can be more severe. Of course, that is mitigated by the probability that power will be lost almost immediately because of the EMP.

Powered-off equipment is less likely to be damaged, but still can have certain parts damaged by the high energy EM. Shielding equipment can help mitigate all of this.

But since the main source of EMP is a nuclear detonation, shielding your equipment will not generally help a heck of a lot. You're toast (literally) anyway. We're not going to address any other ways of generating EMP here.

Thread closed.