Powerful electromagnetic pulse: impact on electronic means and methods of protection. Electromagnetic pulse What happens as a result of exposure to an electromagnetic pulse

Scientific and technological progress is developing rapidly. Unfortunately, its results lead not only to the improvement of our lives, to new amazing discoveries or victories over dangerous illnesses, but also to the emergence of new, more advanced weapons.

Throughout the last century, humanity has been racking its brains to create new, even more effective means of destruction. Poisonous gases, deadly bacteria and viruses, intercontinental missiles, thermonuclear weapons. There has never been a period in human history when scientists and the military collaborated so closely and, unfortunately, effectively.

Many countries around the world are actively developing weapons based on new physical principles. The generals very carefully observe the latest achievements of science and try to use them to their service.

One of the most promising areas of defense research is work in the field of creating electromagnetic weapons. In the tabloid press it is usually called an “electromagnetic bomb”. Such research is very expensive, so only rich countries can afford it: the USA, China, Russia, Israel.

The principle of operation of an electromagnetic bomb is to create a powerful electromagnetic field, which disables all devices whose operation is related to electricity.

This is not the only way to use electromagnetic waves in modern warfare: mobile generators of electromagnetic radiation (EMR) have been created that can disable enemy electronics at a distance of up to several tens of kilometers. Work in this area is actively carried out in the USA, Russia, and Israel.

There are even more exotic military uses of electromagnetic radiation than an electromagnetic bomb. Most modern weapons use the energy of powder gases to destroy the enemy. However, everything may change in the coming decades. Electromagnetic currents will also be used to launch the projectile.

The principle of operation of such an “electric gun” is quite simple: a projectile made of conductive material is pushed out at high speed over a fairly large distance under the influence of a field. They plan to put this scheme into practice in the near future. The Americans are working most actively in this direction; there is no information about the successful development of weapons with this operating principle in Russia.

How do you imagine the beginning of World War III? Blinding flashes of thermonuclear charges? The groans of people dying from anthrax? Strikes from hypersonic aircraft from space?

Things could be completely different.

There will indeed be a flash, but not very strong and not incinerating, but rather similar to a clap of thunder. The “interesting” part will begin later.

Even turned off fluorescent lamps and TV screens will light up, the smell of ozone will hang in the air, and wiring and electrical appliances will begin to smolder and sparkle. Gadgets and household appliances that contain batteries will heat up and fail.

Almost all internal combustion engines will stop working. Communications will be cut off, the media will not work, cities will be plunged into darkness.

People will not be harmed; in this regard, an electromagnetic bomb is a very humane type of weapon. However, think for yourself what the life of a modern person will turn into if you remove from it devices whose operating principle is based on electricity.

The society against which a weapon of this kind will be used will be thrown back several centuries.

How it works

How can you create such a powerful electromagnetic field that can have a similar effect on electronics and electrical networks? Is the electronic bomb a fantastic weapon or can similar ammunition be created in practice?

The electronic bomb has already been created and has already been used twice. We are talking about nuclear or thermonuclear weapons. When such a charge is detonated, one of the damaging factors is the flow of electromagnetic radiation.

In 1958, the Americans detonated a thermonuclear bomb over the Pacific Ocean, which led to a disruption in communications throughout the region, there was no communication even in Australia, and there was no light in the Hawaiian Islands.

Gamma radiation, which is produced in excess during a nuclear explosion, causes a strong electronic pulse that spreads over hundreds of kilometers and turns off all electronic devices. Immediately after the invention of nuclear weapons, the military began developing protection for their own equipment from such explosions.

Work related to the creation of a strong electromagnetic pulse, as well as the development of means of protection against it, is carried out in many countries (USA, Russia, Israel, China), but almost everywhere they are classified.

Is it possible to create a working device based on other less destructive operating principles than a nuclear explosion? It turns out that it is possible. Moreover, similar developments were actively carried out in the USSR (they continue in Russia). One of the first to become interested in this direction was the famous academician Sakharov.

It was he who first proposed the design of a conventional electromagnetic munition. According to his idea, a high-energy magnetic field can be obtained by compressing the magnetic field of a solenoid with a conventional explosive. Such a device could be placed in a rocket, shell or bomb and sent to an enemy target.

However, such ammunition has one drawback: its low power. The advantage of such shells and bombs is their simplicity and low cost.

Is it possible to defend yourself?

After the first tests of nuclear weapons and the identification of electromagnetic radiation as one of its main damaging factors, the USSR and the USA began to work on protection against EMP.

The USSR approached this issue very seriously. The Soviet army was preparing to fight in a nuclear war, so all military equipment was manufactured taking into account the possible impact of electromagnetic pulses on it. To say that there is no protection from it at all is a clear exaggeration.

All military electronics were equipped with special screens and reliably grounded. It included special safety devices, and developed an electronics architecture that was as resistant to EMP as possible.

Of course, if you get into the epicenter of a high-power electromagnetic bomb, the defense will be broken, but at a certain distance from the epicenter, the probability of damage will be significantly lower. Electromagnetic waves propagate in all directions (like waves on water), so their strength decreases in proportion to the square of the distance.

In addition to protection, electronic means of destruction were also developed. They planned to use EMP to shoot down cruise missiles; there is information about the successful use of this method.

Currently, mobile systems are being developed that can emit high-density EMP, disrupting the operation of enemy electronics on the ground and shooting down aircraft.

Video about the electromagnetic bomb

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A powerful electromagnetic pulse (EMP) occurs due to a burst of energy that is emitted or conducted by a source such as the sun or an explosive device. If your survivalist arsenal contains electrical or electronic devices, it is necessary to provide them with EMP protection so that they can continue to work after the outbreak of hostilities or a natural or man-made disaster.

What is an electromagnetic pulse

Whenever it passes through the wires, it produces electric and magnetic fields that emanate perpendicular to the flow of current. The size of these fields is proportional to the current strength. The length of the wire directly affects the current strength of the induced electromagnetic pulse. In addition, even a normal power-up produces a short burst of electrical and magnetic energy.

In this case, the splash is so small that it is barely noticeable. For example, switching actions in electrical circuits, engines and ignition systems for gas engines also produce small EMI pulses that can cause interference on a nearby radio or television. To absorb them, filters are used to remove minor bursts of energy and interference from them.

A large release of energy is produced when a certain charge of electricity is quickly discharged. This electrostatic discharge (ESD) can shock a person or cause dangerous sparks around fuel vapors. Many also remember that as children we would rub our feet on the carpet and then touch our friends, creating an ESD discharge. This is also a form of ESD.

The stronger the pulse energy, the more it can damage buildings and affect people. For example, lightning is a powerful form of EMP. can be very dangerous and cause a disaster. Fortunately, most lightning is shorted to ground, where the electrical charge is absorbed. The lightning rod was invented by Benjamin Franklin, thanks to which many buildings and structures are preserved today.

Events such as nuclear explosions, high-altitude non-nuclear explosions, and solar storms can create powerful EMP that causes damage to electrical and electronic equipment located close to the source of the event. All of this threatens the power grid and the functioning of most electrical and electronic devices in our lives.

Damaging factors of electromagnetic pulse

The danger of EMP is that it affects life support and transport systems. Therefore, for example, when exposed to a powerful electromagnetic pulse, modern unprotected vehicles fail. This is especially true for cars manufactured after 1980. Therefore, in the event of a man-made disaster, the outbreak of hostilities, or a surge in solar activity, it is optimal to use old-style vehicles.

In addition, the electromagnetic pulse affects:

Computers.
Displays.
Printers.
Routers.
Transformers.
Generators.
Power supplies.
Landline phones.
Any electronic circuits.
TVs.
Radio, DVD players.
Gaming devices.
Media centers
Amplifiers.
Communication systems (transmitters, receivers)
Cables (data, telephone, coaxial, USB, etc.)
Wires (especially long ones).
Antennas (external and internal).
Electrical power cords.
Ignition systems (cars and aircraft).
Microwave electrical circuits.
Air conditioners.
Batteries (all types).
Flashlights.
Relay.
Alarm systems.
Charge controllers.
Converters.
Calculators.
Power tools.
Electronic spare parts.
Charging device.
Control devices (CO2, smoke detectors, etc.).
Pacemakers.
Hearing Aids.
Medical monitoring devices, etc.

Factors that determine EMP damage

The strength of the incoming electromagnetic pulse.
Distance to the pulse source.
The angle of the line of impact from the source to your position on the rotating Earth.
The size and shape of objects that receive and collect EMR.
The degree of isolation of instruments and devices from things that can collect and transmit EMR energy.
Protecting or shielding instruments and devices.

How to protect yourself from EMP: first steps

It is highly likely that small systems will not be affected by EMP if they are isolated from the mains. Therefore, if you receive a warning about an impending EMP, unplug all appliances and devices plugged into the electrical outlet. Don't forget ventilation and thermostats. Disconnect the solar panels and the entire house from the mains, open the shut-off switches between the solar panels and the inverter, and between the inverter and the power distribution panel. With coordinated action, this will take a few minutes.

General protection against electromagnetic radiation

Suggested protective actions:

Turn off electronic devices when not in use.
Unplug electrical appliances when not in use.
Do not leave components such as printers and scanners in standby mode.
Use short cables for work.
Install protective induction around the components.
Use components with self-contained batteries.
Use loop antennas.
Connect all ground wires to one common ground point.
Whenever possible, use smaller devices that are less sensitive to EMR.
Install MOV (Metal Oxide Varistor) transition protectors on portable generators.
Use a UPS to protect electronics from EMP surge.
Use device locking.
Use hybrid protection (for example, a bandpass filter followed by a lightning arrester).
Keep sensitive instruments and devices away from long cable or electrical runs, antennas, guy wires, metal towers, corrugated metal, steel fences, and railroad tracks.
Install the cable underground, in shielded cable ducts.
Build one or more Faraday cages.

You should think through the protective system in advance. For example, a backup generator would likely not be damaged by a solar storm, but EMP could damage sensitive electronic controllers, so shielding is advisable. Conversely, a device such as an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) can be useful in its own right as a protection component. If EMP occurs, the surge may destroy the UPS, but it will most likely protect connected devices and components from destruction.

How to build a Faraday cage

A Faraday cage can be made at home from metal containers such as a trash can or bucket, a closet, a safe, or an old microwave oven. Any three-dimensional object that has a continuous surface without gaps or large holes will do. A tight-fitting lid is required.

Install non-conductive material (cardboard, wood, paper, sheets of foam or plastic) on all interior sides of the Faraday cage to keep the contents away from metal. You can also wrap each item in bubble wrap or plastic. All devices that are inside must be isolated from everything else and especially from the metal container.

What to put in a Faraday cage

Place inside the cage the entire electronic and electrical arsenal that is included in the NC, and those components that were purchased for future use. It is also necessary to place there everything that may be sensitive to EMR in case of receiving a warning signal. Including:

Batteries for radio.
Walkie-talkies.
Portable TVs.
LED flashlights.
Solar charger.
Computer (laptop or tablet).
Cell phones and smartphones.
Various light bulbs.
Charging cords for mobile phones, tablets, etc.

How to protect important information from EMP

Keep in mind that an electromagnetic pulse can disrupt infrastructure for a long time, and in this case, permanently. Therefore, it is worth preparing in advance and backing up important files and placing them on different media in different Faraday cages.

Instead of an afterword

If an EMP warning was not received, but you see a bright flash followed by a power outage, use your best judgment. After all, it is impossible to know in advance how heavy and dangerous the electromagnetic pulse will be, the range of which in some types of explosions reaches 1000 km. But through preparation and advance planning, we can determine how realistically we can survive in a post-EMP world.

And you will be safe!

On the global network you can now find a huge amount of information about what an electromagnetic pulse is. Many people are afraid of him, sometimes not fully understanding what they are talking about. scientific television programs and articles in the yellow press. Isn't it time to look into this issue?

So, an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) is a disturbance that affects any material object located in its zone of action. It affects not only current-conducting objects, but also dielectrics, only in a slightly different form. Usually the concept of “electromagnetic pulse” is adjacent to the term “nuclear weapon”. Why? The answer is simple: it is during a nuclear explosion that EMR reaches its greatest possible value. It is likely that in some experimental installations it is also possible to create powerful field disturbances, but they are local in nature, whereas in a nuclear explosion large areas are affected.

The electromagnetic pulse owes its appearance to several laws that every electrician encounters in his daily work. As is known, the directed movement of elementary particles possessing an electric charge is inextricably linked with If there is a conductor through which current flows, then a field is always recorded around it. The opposite is also true: the effect of an electromagnetic field on a conductive material generates an emf in it and, as a result, a current. It is usually specified that the conductor forms a circuit, although this is only partly true, since they create their own circuits in the volume of the conductive substance. creates the movement of electrons, therefore a field arises. Then everything is simple: the tension lines, in turn, create induced currents in the surrounding conductors.

The mechanism of this phenomenon is as follows: thanks to the instantaneous release of energy, streams of elementary particles (gamma, alpha, etc.) arise. During their passage through the air, electrons are “knocked out” from the molecules, which are oriented along the magnetic lines of the Earth. A directed movement (current) occurs, generating an electromagnetic field. And since these processes occur at lightning speed, we can talk about an impulse. Next, a current is induced in all conductors located in the field action zone (hundreds of kilometers), and since the field strength is enormous, the current value is also large. This causes protection systems to trip, fuses to blow, even leading to fire and irreparable damage. Everything from power lines to power lines is exposed to EMR, although to varying degrees.

Protection against EMR consists of preventing the inducing effect of the field. This can be achieved in several ways:

Move away from the epicenter, since the field weakens with increasing distance;

Shield (ground) electronic equipment;

- “disassemble” the circuits, providing gaps taking into account the high current.

You can often come across the question of how to create an electromagnetic pulse with your own hands. In fact, every person encounters it every day when they flip the light bulb switch. At the moment of switching, the current briefly exceeds the rated current by tens of times; an electromagnetic field is generated around the wires, which induces an electromotive force in the surrounding conductors. The force of this phenomenon is simply not sufficient to cause damage comparable to the EMP of a nuclear explosion. Its more pronounced manifestation can be obtained by measuring the field level near the electric welding arc. In any case, the task is simple: it is necessary to organize the possibility of instantaneous occurrence of an electric current of large effective value.

Nuclear explosions in the atmosphere and in higher layers lead to the emergence of powerful electromagnetic fields. Due to their short-term existence, these fields are usually called an electromagnetic pulse (EMP).

The damaging effect of EMR is caused by the occurrence of voltages and currents in conductors of various lengths located in the air, equipment, on the ground or on other objects. The effect of EMR manifests itself, first of all, in relation to radio-electronic equipment, where, under the influence of EMR, electric currents and voltages are induced, which can cause breakdown of electrical insulation, damage to transformers, burnout of spark gaps, damage to semiconductor devices and other elements of radio engineering devices. Communication, signaling and control lines are most susceptible to EMR. Strong electromagnetic fields can damage electrical circuits and interfere with the operation of unshielded electrical equipment.

A high-altitude explosion can interfere with communications over very large areas. Protection against EMI is achieved by shielding power supply lines and equipment.

NUCLEAR DAMAGE SOCIETY

The source of nuclear damage is the territory in which, under the influence of the damaging factors of a nuclear explosion, destruction of buildings and structures, fires, radioactive contamination of the area and damage to the population occur. The simultaneous impact of a shock wave, light radiation and penetrating radiation largely determines the combined nature of the damaging effect of a nuclear weapon explosion on people, military equipment and structures. In case of combined damage to people, injuries and contusions from the impact of a shock wave can be combined with burns from light radiation with simultaneous fire from light radiation. Electronic equipment and devices, in addition, may lose their functionality as a result of exposure to an electromagnetic pulse (EMP).

The more powerful the nuclear explosion, the larger the source size. The nature of the destruction in the outbreak also depends on the strength of the structures of buildings and structures, their number of storeys and building density.

The outer boundary of the source of nuclear damage is taken to be a conventional line on the ground drawn at a distance from the epicenter of the explosion where the excess pressure of the shock wave is 10 kPa.

2. Chemical weapons

Chemical weapons, toxic substances. Characteristic signs of the use of toxic substances (CS). Types of toxic substances (classification of chemical agents). Protection against chemical weapons.

For the first time, chemical weapons were widely used for the purpose of mass destruction during the 1st World War to cause damage through the respiratory system (chlorine and phosgene; respectively in April and December 1915) and through the skin (mustard gas; in July 1917).

By the end of World War 1, lewisite, chloroacetophenone and adamsite appeared; in the 20s - nitrogen mustards, in the 30-40s. - the first representatives of deadly fast-acting phosphorus-containing agents (diisopropyl fluorophosphate, tabun, sarin, soman).

After World War II, developments in the field of chemical weapons were intensively carried out in the United States, where in the 1950s. VI-gas and psychotropic incapacitants were synthesized; in the 1960s Research has begun on lethal fast-acting agents for use in mixed weapons and sabotage (prototypes of natural poisons), and research on the chemical factors that determine the damaging properties of biological weapons.

Simultaneously with the improvement of explosive agents, new means of their combat use were developed. In World War I, gas and smoke exhaust were used. Then artillery chemicals were created. ammunition (shells, mines), chemical. aerial bombs, air-draining devices, chemical landmines, reactive chemical ammunition, chemical missile warheads, mixed weapons (bullets, shells, mines, aerial bombs) and binary weapons. The peculiarity of the latter is that they are not loaded with the chemical agent itself, but with its precursors (predecessors) placed in separate containers - initial substances, when mixed (at the moment of firing or dropping a bomb), a reaction is carried out with the formation of chemical agent.

Chemical Weapons Convention 1993

The Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction belongs to that category of instruments of international humanitarian law that prohibit weapons considered the most monstrous. Immediately after the end of the First World War, the use of chemical and biological weapons was condemned by the international community and prohibited Geneva Protocol of 1925 Thus, the adoption of the Convention reinforces one of the basic principles of the law governing the conduct of hostilities, according to which the right to choose methods and means of warfare available to parties to an armed conflict is not unlimited. The Convention, adopted as a result of negotiations within the Conference on Disarmament, was opened for signature in Paris on January 13, 1993 and entered into force on April 29, 1997. The vast majority of states are currently bound by it.

FEDERAL LAW OF THE RF FROM 02.05.97N76-FZ "ON THE DESTRUCTION OF CHEMICAL WEAPONS"

This Federal Law establishes the legal basis for carrying out a set of works to destroy chemical weapons stored on the territory of the Russian Federation, and to ensure the safety of citizens and environmental protection when carrying out these works.

Article 25. Responsibility of citizens.

Citizens are responsible for:

deliberate actions with chemical weapons that may lead or have caused emergency situations, or caused harm to the health of citizens, property of citizens and legal entities, or caused damage to the environment; organization of events that may result or have resulted in a threat to the safety of citizens and (or) which may result or have resulted in damage to the environment during the storage, transportation and destruction of chemical weapons, or participation in them;

failure to comply with regulatory legal acts and instructions of federal executive authorities exercising supervision and control functions to ensure the safety of citizens and protect the environment.

The types of responsibility of citizens and the procedure for bringing them to responsibility are established by the legislation of the Russian Federation.

In Russia, at the end of November 2002, the destruction of chemical weapons began.

Table 1. Classification of toxic substances

Group OV	OB	Mechanism actions	Paths hits	Signs of defeat	Protection/ First help
1. Nerve paralytic actions		Affects the nervous system: blocking (inhibition) of the enzyme acetylcholine esterase, which in the body breaks down one of the transmitter substances, namely acetylcholine. Lethal action (death may occur within 1-10 minutes)	Through the respiratory system, skin vapor and droplet-liquid states), gastrointestinal tract with food and water	Drooling, miosis (constriction of the pupils), difficulty breathing, nausea, vomiting, convulsions, paralysis. Death occurs from respiratory arrest	Gas mask and protective suit / Put on a gas mask and inject the antidote from AI-2, treat the skin and clothing with liquid from the IPP.
blister actions	liquids aerosol or gas	Possess multilateral damaging action: destruction of intercellular membranes; carbohydrate metabolism disorder; “tearing out” nitrogenous bases from DNA and RNA. Deadly actions	Through the skin (resorptive effect - in drop-liquid and vapor state), through the respiratory organs (by inhaling vapors), Gastrointestinal tract with food and water	There is a latent period (2 hours or more), redness of the skin, the formation of small blisters on it, which then merge into large ones and burst after two or three days, turning into difficult-to-heal ulcers. They cause general poisoning of the body, which manifests itself in fever and malaise.	Treat gas mask, protective clothing/skin and clothing with IPP liquid.
3. Asphyxiating effect		Lead to the development of pulmonary edema Deadly actions	Through the respiratory organs	Sweetish, unpleasant taste in the mouth, cough, dizziness, general weakness. After leaving the source of infection, these phenomena disappear, and the victim feels normal within 4-6 hours. During this period, pulmonary edema develops. Then breathing may suddenly worsen; cough appears with profuse sputum production, headache, fever, shortness of breath, increased heart rate.	Put on a gas mask and get out of the contaminated area. Ventilation cannot be performed.
4. Generally poisonous action	acid (with bitter Chlorcyanide	Violate transmission oxygen from the blood to the tissues. Lethal action	Through the respiratory system (in vapor form)	Metallic taste in the mouth, irritation in the throat, dizziness, weakness, nausea, severe convulsions, paralysis.	Crush the ampoule with the antidote and insert it under the helmet-gas mask. Ventilation
I'm annoying actions	CS (Si-S) aerosols)	Temporarily bringing out the living force out of order (according to American terminology malicious		Burning and pain in the mouth, throat and eyes, severe watery eyes, cough, difficulty breathing	Infected treat with soapy water, rinse eyes and nasopharynx with clean water, clean uniform.
Psychochemicals actions	glycolev	Affects the central nervous system Temporarily incapacitating living force		Psychological (hallucinations, fear, depression) or physical (blindness, deafness) disorders

Chemical weapon is a weapon of mass destruction, the action of which is based on the toxic properties of certain chemicals. It includes chemical warfare agents and means of application.

Toxic substances (CS) are chemical compounds that can affect unprotected people and animals over large areas, penetrate various structures, and contaminate terrain and water bodies for a long period. They are used to equip missiles, aircraft bombs, artillery shells and mines, chemical land mines, as well as airborne discharge devices (VAL). OM is used in a drop-liquid state, in the form of steam, gas and aerosols (fog, smoke). They enter the human body through the respiratory system, digestion, skin and eyes.

Characteristic signs of the use of toxic substances:

less sharp, unusual for conventional ammunition, sound of explosions of bombs, shells and mines;

a cloud of gas, smoke or fog in places where bombs, shells and mines exploded or moving from the enemy;

dark disappearing stripes behind the planes, drops and fog from the chemical agents on the ground;

oily drops, stains, puddles, smudges on the ground or in craters from explosions of shells, mines and bombs;

respiratory and eye irritation; decreased visual acuity or loss of vision; foreign odor unusual for the area;

wilting of vegetation and change in color.

Based on the nature of their toxic effects, agents are divided into nerve agents, vesicants, asphyxiants, general toxic agents, irritants and psychochemical agents. The classification of toxic substances is presented in Table 1.

OB Features:

the damaging effect occurs immediately, is chemical in nature, and is associated with a disruption of enzymatic processes in the body;

the action occurs covertly, since modern agents are practically not detected directly by the senses;

Agents have a volumetric effect, since after combat use they contaminate the air that penetrates into all ordinary structures; lesions occur not only in open areas, but also in leaky shelters;

the destructive effect manifests itself over a certain period of time, calculated in minutes, hours, days, weeks or months, and depends on their ability to maintain combat concentration in the air or the density of contamination of the area;

the effect of chemical agents is integral, since they are able to penetrate the body in various ways and therefore require special means of protection;

The volume and duration of action of explosive agents on the ground leads to massive casualties and has a moral impact on the enemy.

TO personal protective equipment from hazardous agents include gas masks, protective suits, gloves and stockings that protect the respiratory organs, mucous membrane of the eyes and skin from damage. The most reliable personal protective equipment is gas masks, especially if the enemy uses aerosols. In the absence of gas masks, you can use simple protective equipment (cotton and gauze bandages, respirators, protective masks made of filter materials, etc.). To protect the surface of the body and skin from damage, protective anti-chemical capes and suits are used, as well as waterproof protective raincoats available to the population, various improvised means, for example, coats, etc.

TO collective means of protection These include special shelters, sealed and equipped with filter-ventilation units. Homes and other premises can also serve as protection if they are properly sealed.

At the signal “ Chemical alarm“It is urgent to put on a gas mask, and, if necessary, skin protection; If there is a shelter nearby, take refuge in it. Before entering the shelter, you should remove used skin protection and outer clothing and leave them in the shelter vestibule; this precaution prevents the introduction of toxic substances into the shelter.

When using a shelter (basement, closed gap, etc.), one should not forget that it can serve as protection against contact with droplets of liquid chemical agents on the skin and clothing, but does not protect against vapors or aerosols of toxic substances in the air. When staying in such shelters in conditions of external contamination, it is imperative to use a gas mask.

Are you fed up with your neighbors' loud music or just want to make some interesting electrical equipment yourself? Then you can try to assemble a simple and compact electromagnetic pulse generator that is capable of disabling electronic devices nearby.

An EMR generator is a device capable of generating a short-term electromagnetic disturbance that radiates outward from its epicenter, thereby disrupting the operation of electronic devices. Some EMR bursts occur naturally, for example in the form of electrostatic discharge. There are also artificial EMP bursts, such as a nuclear electromagnetic pulse.

This material will show you how to assemble a basic EMP generator using commonly available items: a soldering iron, solder, a disposable camera, a push-button switch, insulated thick copper cable, enameled wire, and a high-current latched switch. The presented generator will not be very powerful in terms of power, so it may not be able to disable serious equipment, but it can affect simple electrical appliances, so this project should be considered as a training project for beginners in electrical engineering.

So, first, you need to take a disposable camera, for example, Kodak. Next you need to open it. Open the case and locate the large electrolytic capacitor. Do this with rubber dielectric gloves to avoid getting an electric shock when the capacitor is discharged. When fully charged, it can show up to 330 V. Check the voltage on it with a voltmeter. If there is still a charge, remove it by shorting the capacitor terminals with a screwdriver. Be careful, when shorted, a flash will appear with a characteristic pop. After discharging the capacitor, remove the circuit board it is mounted on and locate the small on/off button. Unsolder it, and in its place solder your switch button.

Solder two insulated copper cables to the two terminals of the capacitor. Connect one end of this cable to a high current switch. Leave the other end free for now.

Now you need to wind the load coil. Wrap the enamel-coated wire 7 to 15 times around a 5cm diameter round object. Once the coil is formed, wrap it with duct tape to make it safer to use, but leave two wires protruding to connect to the terminals. Use sandpaper or a sharp blade to remove the enamel coating from the ends of the wire. Connect one end to the capacitor terminal and the other to a high-current switch.

Now we can say that the simplest electromagnetic pulse generator is ready. To charge it, simply connect the battery to the corresponding pins on the capacitor circuit board. Bring some portable electronic device that you don't mind to the coil and press the switch.