Electromagnetic pulse

An electromagnetic pulse (EMP), also referred to as a transient electromagnetic disturbance (TED), is a brief burst of electromagnetic energy. The origin of an EMP can be natural or artificial, and can occur as an electromagnetic field, as an electric field, as a magnetic field, or as a conducted electric current. The electromagnetic interference caused by an EMP can disrupt communications and damage electronic equipment. An EMP such as a lightning strike can physically damage objects such as buildings and aircraft. The management of EMP effects is a branch of electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) engineering.

This article is about the phenomenon in general. For nuclear EMP weapons, see Nuclear electromagnetic pulse. For Earth magnetosphere pulsations, see Magnetic pulsations.

The first recorded damage from an electromagnetic pulse came with the solar storm of August 1859, or the Carrington Event.

In modern warfare, weapons delivering a high energy EMP pulse are designed to disrupt communications equipment, the computers needed to operate modern warplanes, or even put the entire electrical network of a target country out of commission.

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