The nuclear electromagnetic pulse and the electric power grid: A different perspective: Special report
This report primarily considers the potential effects of a single high-altitude nuclear burst on the US power grid. It describes various types of electromagnetic pulses (EMP) from a nuclear explosion and provides a brief historical overview of EMP. A comparison is made between EMP and natural phenomena such as lightning and solar storms. This report concludes that EMP effects are exaggerated because of an unrealistic assumption of the pulse that can be seen by the power system. An upper limit of the electric field of the very fast, high-amplitude EMP is derived from first principles. The resulting values indicate that although electric fields approaching 50 kV/m might be obtained locally, the energy content is significantly lower than the commonly presented values, and the electric field decreases rapidly with distance. Additional calculations show that the ionization produced by a nuclear burst severely attenuates the EMP. These findings all indicate that EMP damage to the US power grid in equipment flashovers and line flashovers from a high-altitude nuclear bomb will be negligible, except for localized damage to some unshielded electronic control systems. Since it is difficult to make accurate calculations of the coupling of EMP into complex electronic systems, this report relies on the results of other studies which indicate the possibility of minimal damage. 42 refs., 23 figs., 6 tabs.
- Research Organization:
- Electric Power Research Inst., Palo Alto, CA (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 6033003
- Report Number(s):
- EPRI-EL-4351-SR; ON: DE88920070
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION
ELECTROMAGNETIC PULSES
NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS
BLAST EFFECTS
POWER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS
BLACKOUTS
ELECTRIC FIELDS
FAILURES
FLASHOVER
MAGNETIC FIELDS
USA
CURRENTS
ELECTRIC CURRENTS
ELECTRIC DISCHARGES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
EXPLOSIONS
NORTH AMERICA
PULSES
RADIATIONS
450202* - Explosions & Explosives- Nuclear- Weaponry- (-1989)
200301 - Power Transmission & Distribution- AC Systems
EHV & UHV- (-1989)