An electromagnetic pulse (EMP) is a natural phenomenon caused by a rapid and sudden acceleration of particles (usually electrons), which in turn creates a discharge of electromagnetic energy. The most common causes of EMPs that occur on a daily basis are: lighting systems, ignition of combustion engines and solar flare. While EMPs have the potential to damage electronic devices, they are safely exploited every day to intentionally disable certain tools and ensure the confidentiality of personal or confidential data.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Building a Simple Generator
Step 1. Put all the necessary materials together
To generate an electromagnetic pulse, you need a disposable camera, copper wire, rubber gloves, a soldering iron, welding tools, and an iron bar. You can buy everything you need in the hardware store.
- The larger the diameter of the copper wire you use for your experiment, the more powerful the EMP will be.
- In the event that an iron bar is not available, you can use a non-metallic rod, but be aware that it will have a negative impact on the strength of the impulse.
- When working with electrical components that could hold a charge or when running current through an object, you should always wear rubber gloves to prevent accidental shock.
Step 2. Make an electromagnetic coil
It is a device made up of two distinct but essential parts: a conductor and a core. In your case, the iron rod is the core and the copper wire the conductor.
Wrap the copper wire tightly around the core without leaving any space between the coils. You should leave a segment of wire protruding from the coil at both the leading and trailing ends, so you can connect the coil itself to the flash capacitor.
Step 3. Solder the ends of the copper coil to the capacitor
This is usually a double-ended cylindrical element found on most electrical boards. The disposable camera should have its own flash condenser. Make sure you have removed the batteries from the machine before soldering the coil ends to this element, otherwise you could get a bad shock.
- If you wear rubber gloves you can save yourself some "electric jolt" while handling the flash capacitor.
- Dissipates the charge accumulated in the capacitor by firing the flash a few times after removing the batteries from the camera. Any charge that is left in the circuit could turn into a shock.
Step 4. Find a safe place to test your generator
Depending on the material you used, the range of action of the electromagnetic pulse should not be more than a few meters. However, be aware that any electronic device affected by EMP could be irreparably damaged.
- Remember that electromagnetic pulses indiscriminately affect electronic devices. This also includes "life-saving" devices such as pacemakers and valuables such as cell phones. Be aware that there may be legal repercussions for the damage generated by your device.
- A grounded work surface, such as a tree stump or plastic table, is the ideal surface to test the EMP generator.
Step 5. Find a suitable object to test
Since the electromagnetic pulse field only interferes with electronic devices, you need to buy an inexpensive gadget at an electrical store. If this stops working after you put it to the action of your generator, then you have managed to create an EMP.
In office supply stores and stationeries, you can find some really inexpensive calculators that are ideal for this type of test
Step 6. Put the batteries back into the camera
You must allow the electricity to recharge the capacitor which will supply the electromagnetic coil with the energy necessary to generate the pulse. Remember to put the generator near the electronic control device.
Note:
in most cases, electromagnetic fields are invisible to the human eye. If you don't have a control object, you will never know if the generator really works.
Step 7. Wait for the flash capacitor to charge
To do this you can disconnect the cables from the electromagnetic coil and let the electricity flow from the battery to the capacitor; finally reattach the cables using one insulating tool like rubber gloves or plastic pliers. If you do this with your bare hands, you will get a pretty strong shock, similar to that of a taser.
Step 8. Operate the capacitor
By activating the camera's flash you release the electricity accumulated in the capacitor which passes through the electromagnetic coil generating the pulse.
- The nature of the electromagnetic field you have created will interfere with any nearby electronic devices, even if they are turned off. If you have chosen a calculator as your control object, after activating the capacitor it should no longer turn on if the generator has worked correctly.
- Depending on the type of flash capacitor you used, the potential difference needed to charge it varies. The approximate electrical capacity for a single-use camera should be between 80 and 160 microfarads and the potential difference between 180 and 330 volts.
Part 2 of 2: Building a Portable Generator
Step 1. Get all the materials
Making a portable EMP generator will be easier if you have all the necessary components and tools on hand. Here's what you need:
- One AA battery;
- One AA battery holder;
- A copper wire;
- Of cardboard;
- A disposable camera equipped with a flash;
- Some insulating tape
- An iron core (preferably circular in shape);
- A pair of rubber gloves (highly recommended);
- A simple electrical switch;
- A welder and filler material;
- A walkie-talkie antenna.
Step 2. Remove the electrical card from the camera
Inside the camera you find the main circuit board that controls the operation of the entire device. First remove the batteries, then unmount the card and locate the flash capacitor.
- Wear rubber gloves to save yourself some unpleasant shocks while handling the camera circuit and capacitor.
- The capacitor is typically a cylindrical element connected to the circuit board with two tips. It is an indispensable component for your EMP generator.
- Dissipates the remaining charge by firing the flash several times after removing the batteries from the camera; this step is essential because the accumulated electricity could cause you a shock.
Step 3. Wrap the copper wire around the iron core
Make sure you have enough thread; you must completely and evenly cover the core. The turns should be tight because a loose coil adversely affects the strength of the electromagnetic pulse.
Leave some excess thread at both ends of the bobbin
You will need to connect it to the rest of your electromagnetic pulse generator later.
Step 4. Isolate the walkie-talkie antenna
The antenna will act as the shaft on which to attach the electromagnetic coil and the circuit board of the camera. Wrap the base of the antenna with electrical tape to prevent shock.
Step 5. Attach the camera circuit to a sturdy piece of cardboard
This element further isolates the circuit and saves you from unpleasant electric shocks. Use electrical tape for this and be careful not to cover any electrical paths in the circuit.
- It is recommended to attach the board so that the circuit is facing up, so the cardstock will not interfere with the capacitor and electrical paths.
- When preparing the piece of cardboard, also take into account the space required for the battery holder.
Step 6. Connect the electromagnetic coil to the antenna end of the walkie-talkie
Since the electrical current will flow through the coil to create the electromagnetic pulse, it is worth insulating the antenna twice by inserting another small piece of cardboard between the coil and the antenna itself. Finally you can fix everything with insulating tape.
Step 7. Solder the power source
Find the battery connector tabs on the camera circuit and connect them to the corresponding poles (positive and negative) of the battery holder. The latter can be attached to the piece of cardboard with electrician's tape.
Step 8. Connect the coil to the capacitor
The ends of the excess copper wire you left earlier now need to be soldered to the flash capacitor electrodes. To control the flow of electricity that flows between the capacitor and the coil, insert a switch between the two components.
During the assembly phase you should wear rubber gloves, to prevent the residual charge of the capacitor from giving you a shock.
Step 9. Attach the cardboard structure to the antenna
Again you can use insulating tape to firmly join the various pieces. The cardboard with the circuit should be attached to the base of the antenna (which you have already isolated earlier).
Step 10. Find a control object and a suitable place for the test
A simple inexpensive calculator is a perfect electronic device for testing EMP's portable generator. Depending on the material and assembly technique you followed, the range of action of the electromagnetic pulse could be limited to the area close to the coil or extend for several meters.
All electronic devices that will be hit by the electromagnetic pulse could be irreparably damaged. Make sure you have chosen a location far enough away from these objects to avoid accidentally breaking them. Be aware that you are legally responsible for any damage your generator can do.
Step 11. Test your portable generator
Check that the switch is set to "off" and then insert the AA batteries into their compartment inside the cardboard frame. Grab the generator by the isolated antenna base as if it were the ghostbuster's neutron wand and direct it to the control object. Move the switch to the "on" position.
- If you are unfamiliar with building electronics or worry that your knowledge is insufficient, wear rubber gloves when using the generator as an additional preventative measure.
- If the generator works correctly, the control object and all electronic devices in the range of the EMP will not turn on.
- Depending on the type of flash capacitor you used, the potential difference needed to charge it varies. The approximate electrical capacity for a single-use camera should be between 80 and 160 microfarads and the potential difference between 180 and 330 volts.
Advice
The size of the copper wire and the length of the coil determine the strength and radius of the electromagnetic pulse. For safety, start with a small emitting device to check the feasibility of your project, before moving on to larger, more powerful pulses
Warnings
- Be aware that you are responsible for any damage you may cause to electronic appliances with your electromagnetic pulse generator.
- Working with electromagnetic pulses can be dangerous. There is a risk of electric shock and, in rare cases, of explosion, fire or damage to electronic devices. Move these to another room before making the copper coil. All electronic devices that are within several meters of the pulse can be damaged.
