One of the most worrisome and sadly also most plausible destructive events we could face is an EMP, specifically an EMP powerful enough to disable or destroy electronic devices and the infrastructure that can help us power them.

Whether it is caused by a nuclear weapon detonation, a non-nuclear device or even a potent solar event, a sufficiently powerful EMP has the capability of sending society back to the pre-industrial age.

Considering how dependent we all are on modern electronics at every layer of society, it’s worth figuring out just how long the effects of an EMP will last.

How long will your electronics be disabled after an EMP?

Electronics may be temporarily or permanently disabled after EMP. Devices that are damaged or destroyed will be permanently offline until repaired or replaced. Some devices may only be disrupted, requiring a restart or troubleshooting to resume operation.

The popular depiction of an EMP is one of a nearly omnipotent event that, in the blink of an eye, will completely decimate any and all electronic systems.

Concerning the most powerful EMPs, this isn’t terribly far from the truth but it also isn’t that simple.

Some things will survive an EMP, and through preparation or luck, some electronics may be repairable or only need to be restarted.

This is among the most likely major threats that the world is facing today, so you’ll want to know about it. This article will tell you more.

An EMP is Usually Over in a Split-Second

It’s important to understand that the EMP, the event itself, is distinctly separate from the consequences.

The EMP itself, assuming it comes from some man-made source, will be over in a split-second. But the damage it does to electronics and other systems that are vulnerable to it may persist.

Basically, if you are dealing with a nuclear EMP or a non-nuclear EMP, the event will be over in a blink and then you just have to deal with the damage, not so much worried about sustained EMP effects unless there is a follow-on detonation or deployment.

Some Natural EMP Sources May Last Minutes or Days

In the case of a natural EMP, one resulting from a coronal mass ejection or solar storm, or some other cosmic event, the waves of energy from such an event could wash over Earth for hours, days, or potentially even weeks. Lookup the Carrington Event of 1859 for an example.

Although typically not as cataclysmically powerful as a nuclear or non-nuclear EMP, EMPs of this type do usually last longer, meaning they can be disruptive or potentially destructive however long they last.

The cumulative effects of such an event might result in temporary or permanent damage, or be powerful enough to destroy affected electronics in an instant. It all depends.

Recovery Depends on Damage Inflicted

Whether it is created by a man-made device or occurs as a result of natural phenomena, all EMPs produce a pulse or wave of energy in the form of an electromagnetic field.

This field causes damage to electronics by short-circuiting them.

Excessive electric currents and voltages can overload components and cause other issues. Computer chips and similar technologies are usually completely destroyed.

Devices that are less complex or have built-in protective systems may shut down or have “sacrificial” components burned up.

Damage can be variable depending upon the strength of the EMP, the distance from the EMP, intervening obstacles, and other conditions.

Though many common electronics will be destroyed outright by powerful EMP, it is possible that some may only be damaged or even knocked offline only temporarily.

You May Be Able to Restart Affected Devices

Before assuming your electronics are completely bricked or totally non-operational, try to restart them.

First, make sure they are plugged into a power grid or other power supply that is both functional and actually supplying power. Then try to restart the affected device.

With a little luck, it might work normally. If it doesn’t, make sure you double-check the integrity of the power supply and then either try again later or try to find an alternate power supply before assuming your gear is toast.

Some Equipment Will Need Parts Replacement

Some devices and equipment damaged by an EMP might not be totally destroyed. For instance, many automobiles rely on computerized control modules and other components for efficiency or function.

An EMP is highly likely to damage or destroy these particular components, but would not destroy the rest of the car.

I mean to say that an EMP is not going to make the car explode or burst into flames- probably!

In such a case, if the damaged vital components can be replaced, the equipment can be restored to normal operation.

This is something to keep in mind because things like your personal vehicle can be difficult or impossible to effectively protect from an EMP, but it’s not impossible to keep a stash of vulnerable components in an EMP protective enclosure just in case.

Other Devices Will Be Totally Ruined

Some equipment, by its very nature, is extremely vulnerable to the effects of an EMP and unless especially protected or shielded is probably going to be completely destroyed by one.

Think of gadgets like your smartphone, computer, electronic media storage devices like hard drives or solid-state drives, and things like that.

Outside of a major overhaul and the skills to do so, these items are probably bricked: you’ll need to replace them!

Anything Connected to a Power Grid is Extremely Vulnerable to an EMP

EMPs will also dangerously overcharge electrical grids, and anything that is plugged into the affected grid is at risk of destruction.

The grid itself is likely to be damaged or destroyed, too! This is a great reason why you should not keep essential items plugged in all the time if you are worried about an impending or threatened EMP event.

This advice also applies to some items that are not inherently vulnerable to EMPs, like rechargeable batteries.

If your battery was connected to its charging dock or cradle and is plugged into an outlet when an EMP occurs, it could overcharge and destroy the battery and charger catastrophically.

EMP Hardening and Shielding Can Increase the Chances Your Gear Survives

When it comes to protecting vulnerable items from EMPs, you only have two options unless total replacement is viable for you: shielding and hardening.

Shielding is protecting the item in question by putting it in or otherwise completely enclosing it and an EMP protective container or envelope.

This is invariably a completely sealed box or other container made of conductive material, usually metal, insulating the vulnerable equipment from the EMP’s effects.

Note that this type of approach is exemplified by the Faraday cage concept, something you can make yourself at home if you are crafty and have some basic knowledge of electrical theory.

The other option, one that must usually be designed into the gear in question, is hardening.

EMP hardening is a process where only the most vulnerable components and circuits in a device will be protected from an EMP, either by shielding them internally or designing them in such a way that they can handle dramatically increased currents as typified by the effects of an EMP.

Of the two, shielding is more certain but generally more difficult to implement the larger an item is.

Hardening means you can use an item normally or protect larger equipment like vehicles, but it is no guarantee that the item will survive any given EMP, particularly a very powerful one.

As with all things when it comes to asset protection, it’s a trade-off, and you should assess your vulnerabilities based on your personal circumstances and EMP readiness plan.

By: Perrin Adams
Title: EMP How Long Does It Disable My Electronics
Sourced From: modernsurvivalonline.com/duration-emp-disables-electronics/
Published Date: Tue, 21 Feb 2023 14:30:00 +0000

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