What is BS EN 61000-2-9 - High-altitude electromagnetic pulse about?
BS EN 61000 is a series on Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC). The goal of Electromagnetic compatibility is the correct operation of different equipment in a common electromagnetic environment. It is also the name given to the associated branch of electrical engineering. BS EN 61000-2-9 defines the high-altitude electromagnetic pulse (HEMP) environment that is one of the consequences of a high-altitude nuclear explosion. Those dealing with this subject consider two cases:
- High-altitude nuclear explosions
- Low-altitude nuclear explosions
For civil systems, the most important case is the high-altitude nuclear explosion. In this case, the other effects of the nuclear explosion: blast, ground shock, thermal and nuclear ionizing radiation are not present at the ground level. However, the electromagnetic pulse associated with the explosion may cause disruption of, and damage to, communication, electronic and electric power systems thereby upsetting the stability of modern society. The object of BS EN 61000-2-9 is to establish a common reference for the HEMP environment in order to select realistic stresses to apply to victim equipment for evaluating their performance.
Who is BS EN 61000-2-9 - High-altitude electromagnetic pulse for?
BS EN 61000-2-9 on High-altitude electromagnetic pulse is useful for:
- Telecommunication component manufacturers
- Telecommunication equipment manufacturers
- Design engineers
- Quality control personnel
Why should you use BS EN 61000-2-9 - High-altitude electromagnetic pulse?
Electromagnetic compatibility is the ability of electrical equipment and systems to function acceptably in their electromagnetic environment, by limiting the unintentional generation, propagation and reception of electromagnetic energy which may cause unwanted effects such as electromagnetic interference (EMI) or even physical damage to operational equipment. BS EN 61000-2-9 covers A high-altitude (above 30 km) nuclear burst that produces three types of electromagnetic pulses which are observed on the earth’s surface which are early-time HEMP, intermediate-time high-altitude electromagnetic pulse and late-time high-altitude electromagnetic pulse.
Historically, most interest has been focused on the early-time HEMP which was previously referred to as simply “HEMP”. Here we will use the term high-altitude “EMP” or “HEMP” to include all three types. The term NEMP1) covers many categories of nuclear EMP including those produced by surface bursts (SREMP)2) or created on space systems (SGEMP)3). Because the high-altitude electromagnetic pulse is produced by a high-altitude detonation, we do not observe other nuclear weapon environments such as gamma rays, and heat and shock waves at the earth’s surface. high-altitude electromagnetic pulse was reported from high-altitude U.S. nuclear tests in the South Pacific during the early 1960s, producing effects on electronic equipment far from the burst location. Using BS EN 61000-2-9 you can define the high-altitude electromagnetic pulse environment that is one of the consequences of a high-altitude nuclear explosion.
