Today we would like to provide detailed information on a common Emergency Preparedness Topic; EMP Protection. The threat of an Electromagnetic Pulse has been a topic heavily debated when discussing National Security and general survivability of our society. Electronic Technology is the cornerstone of just about every aspect of our lives. With this being said, a proper education in EMP Protection is a no-brainier. Lets get started!
What is an Electromagnetic Pulse?
An Electromagnetic Pulse, more commonly known as an EMP; is a swift burst of electromagnetic energy that can have a severe negative effect on metal objects. This occurrence can be caused by natural effects (lighting, solar storms/flares), circuit shorts or by man-made explosive devices.
Electromagnetic waves disrupt electronics by exciting the electrons as they quickly pass through a metal object, generating a spike of electricity. This can result in major electronic failure in anything they encounter.
How Does an EMP Occur?
There are many types of Electromagnetic Pulses, each arising from different events. Lightning, being the most common cause of Electromagnetic Waves; is also the most well-known of the naturally occurring EMP phenomena. Solar Flares/Storms, Electrostatic discharge, and Meteoric EMPs to name a few, fall into this category.
The second category includes all Manmade Electromagnetic Pulses. This includes major Electrical Circuitry changes, Large Scale Electric Motor and Engine Operation, and Power Line Surges.
The final category, and most well-known, is Military or Weapon-based EMPs. Most commonly broken down into Nuclear and Non-Nuclear variations; this classification of EMP is the catalyst for the majority of conversation and preparedness theory crafting surrounding Electromagnetic pulses today.
Weaponized Electromagnetic Pulse
The entire world relies so heavily on technology for just about everything. So, it is completely natural for a large percentage of the worlds population to be concerned about an EMP based attack. A powerful enough EMP could cause complete failure to telecommunications, banking, transpiration, food and water systems or the power grid altogether. If this occurred, it would be detrimental to national security and life as we know it.
The United States Government recently took steps in an effort to assess risks affiliated with EMP based attacks. Recent efforts include hardening of infrastructure to updating technology and standard operational procedures. This will allow us to not only secure the grid but ensure we have the proper procedures in place to bounce back from any such attack.
While the threat of a Nuclear attack is far more likely, preparing for grid failure can only yield positive results. Having Faraday Bags and Cages handy for your important electronics is a practice we regularly recommend. As always, we are just a phone call away (877-548-3387) and are happy to offer our expertise on all of your Emergency Preparedness needs!Leave a Comment