How Would a Nuclear EMP Affect the Power Grid?
Practical Engineering・2 minutes read
A nuclear blast test in the upper atmosphere in 1958 led to the discovery of electromagnetic pulses that could severely disrupt electronic devices and power grids, sparking research into the potential impact of high-altitude nuclear EMPs on the power grid through EPRI-funded studies. The E1, E2, and E3 components of an EMP from a nuclear detonation can induce voltage spikes, affect digital protective relays, and cause transformer saturation, potentially leading to regional blackouts and significant disruptions to various systems.
Insights
- The USS Boxer launched a high-altitude helium balloon carrying a nuclear warhead named Yucca in 1958, marking the first nuclear blast test in the upper atmosphere and generating crucial data on shock waves, air pressure effects, and nuclear radiation levels.
- US physicist Conrad Longmire's theory on electromagnetic pulses from high-altitude nuclear blasts revealed the potential disruption of electronic devices and power grids by EMPs, shifting concerns from nuclear warhead impacts on populated areas to broader societal vulnerabilities, as evidenced by EPRI's study on the impact of a high-altitude nuclear EMP on the power grid.
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Recent questions
What was the purpose of operation Hardtack?
To conduct a high-altitude nuclear blast test.
What did Conrad Longmire propose regarding high-altitude nuclear blasts?
A theory explaining the electromagnetic pulses generated.
What did the Electric Power Research Institute study in 2019?
The impact of high-altitude nuclear EMP on the power grid.
What are the components of an electromagnetic pulse (EMP)?
E1, E2, and E3, each with distinct impacts.
What were the potential consequences of an EMP on various systems?
Significant disruptions, potentially causing multi-day blackouts.
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