HEMP Tested

High-Altitude Electromagnetic Pulse

An Electromagnetic pulse or EMP is a burst of radiation created by a high-altitude nuclear explosion. The range and extent of damage this type of destructive pulse would cause to commercial networks including utilities, 911 responders and transportation hubs is being evaluated globally by government leaders, agencies, military and scientist.

As experts in highly specialized EMP/HEMP filter technology, top defense contractors have relied on Transtector design experience and patented technology to meet the requirements set by military standards for EMP-EMI mitigation. This proven technology and tested product mix is now being expanded to support commercial network operators as they plan HEMP network threat assessments.

HEMP Tested products byTranstector are engineered specifically for commercial applications designed to protect AC, DC, Data and RF power applications from EMP bursts.

What is HEMP?
Greatly simplified, HEMP refers to an Electro-magnetic chain reaction created by a nuclear explosion detonated high above our planet’s surface, where the gamma ray pulse from the payload reacts with the Earth's atmosphere to create a multi-stage electromagnetic pulse event. The higher the altitude, the greater the area potentially impacted on earth.
HEMP Measurements focus on three pulses:

• E1 in nanoseconds
• E2 in microseconds (similar to lightning)
• E3 a longer phase potentially lasting minutes on grid systems, similar to a solar flare.

The Potential Impact of HEMP
The sheer energy associated with a HEMP event is likely staggering. Furthermore, with the “coupling” nature of the three phases, the longer the copper transmission or RF/data lines impacted, the more powerful the energy surge becomes. Power grids, communications networks and other physical infrastructure are vulnerable.

Military HEMP Standard
Today, the pulse current injection (PCI) testing included in Military Standard 188-125 sets the ultimate benchmark for product performance in HEMP applications. Transtector and PolyPhaser test all of our HEMPTested products to this key standard to ensure a high level of protection.

Military standard MIL-STD 188-125 was developed in the early 1990’s to describe the threat environment, test methods and minimum protection requirements for HEMP hardening of fixed and transportable ground-based facilities that perform critical, time-urgent command, control, communications, computer, and intelligence (C4I) functions. The standard assumes the need for absolute critical command and control with no margin for disruption of command chain communications. These tests are severe and pass requirements are extremely high, since the intent is to preserve the executive chain of command of the US armed forces.

Areas of Protection
Working together Transtector and PolyPhaser are offering HEMP-tested products, systems and solutions that address the pulse protection requirements of a comprehensive range of essential applications.

• Government communications networks
• TV/Radio broadcasting facilities
• Computer equipment in government facilities, military command posts and headquarters
• Essential economic infrastructure
• Process control in banking/finance
• Road/rail signaling systems
• Transport/communications infrastructure
• Mobile networks
• Utilities and power grids
• First responders and civil defence
• Fielded military forces and support facilities

The Civil Infrastructure’s Standard
The growth of nuclear powers around the globe has elevated the HEMP threat into the mainstream.

Recognizing the need for a standard that could be applied to civil life, the U.S. Dept of Homeland Security released the Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) Protection and Restoration Guidelines for Equipment and Facilities in December 2016. This unclassified document introduces the EMP protection zone concept, which allows system operators to select and implement adequate protection to ensure system recovery after exposure to a potentially catastrophic HEMP event.

Comprehensive Solutions
The nature of today’s networks means that requirements vary greatly across different topologies and applications. However, there’s no substitute for experience and reliability. Contact Transtector to learn more about our broad range of HEMP-tested components and custom EMP solutions that address this growing challenge.