Engineering to counter the EMP threat

This paper gives an overview of the techniques and processes used to protect or `harden¿ electronic equipment against the effects of the Nuclear Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP). Working from an engineering viewpoint, it not only considers how the threat operates and why it is a threat, but also it considers the measures that can be used to counter the threat andwhat these measures are attempting to achieve. Throughout it is stressed that once the decisionto harden a new piece of equipment is taken, the effects of EMP must be considered during all stages of its development. The paper is then concluded with a list of the typical activities that this might entail.