How to Build a Fancy EMP Generator

Last Updated: November 2, 2020

You've seen EMPs in movies: the guy pushes a switch, there's a big flash and everything turns off. Well, now you can do it as well! Here's two methods of generating an electromagnetic pulse: the first you can do at home with some electronics components; the second requires substantial wealth and power.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Home Method

1
Obtain the components. This EMP generator will require: a 3V power supply, a 470 ohm resistor, a resistor of resistance R, an LED, a single pole double throw switch (look it up), a length of insulated wire, a big iron nail (the bigger the better), and a super capacitor (available from Maplin for less than a tenner) of capacitance C. Oh, and enough wires and solder/crocodile clips to connect everything together.
2
Wrap the wire around the nail. The more turns the better. Strip the insulation from the ends of the wire to allow you to connect it to the circuit.

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3
Wire up the circuit. The diagram pretty much says it all.
4
Flick the switch towards the battery to charge. This is what the LED is for: it indicates that the generator is charging. The charging time (in seconds) is about 5RC. This should influence your choice of resistor R. If you are using a 1F capacitor, a ten ohm resistor in place of R will give a charging time of about 50 seconds. If you use the same resistor with a 360F capacitor, it'll take 5 hours to charge. Choose the resistor with care.
5
Flick the switch towards the coil to fire. If you get a really big switch and a servant with a lisp, it's the perfect opportunity to yell, "Igor, pull the switch!"

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Nuclear Method

This method is included for theory only! These EMPs can affect entire continents, so if you go around setting them off, a lot of people will get very angry.

1
Obtain the components. You will need enough metal to form a bomb casing, explosive lenses, enough enriched uranium or plutonium to produce (at least) a 10 kiloton explosion, and a rocket, launch pad and satellite to get the stuff into space. oh, almost forgot - you'll need a radio detonator for the explosives, with enough range to send a signal into space.
2
Use the first three components to build an atom bomb. The explosion from the bomb will create a very big, high-power EMP. Connect the bomb to the detonator.
3
Put the bomb on the satellite.
4
Put the satellite on the rocket and launch the whole thing into a low-earth orbit.
5
Maneuver the satellite into position. Make sure that any space stations and other satellites and stuff are outside the blast radius.
6
Detonate the bomb. The gamma rays from the explosion will interact with the Earth's atmosphere and magnetic field and generate an EMP. If you build a big enough bomb, the EMP can affect an entire continent.

Community Q&A

Question

If I want to change the voltage value of the battery, what changes to the circuit will I need to make?

TomPN

Top Answerer

You need a better supercapacitor. A supercapacitor is just a capacitor with a high capacitance or storage ability. Maplin sells relatively cheap (~£20) supercapacitiors. However, they can only withstand a low voltage before they break. If you want to use a higher voltage battery, you need a supercapacitor that can withstand higher voltages, but they will cost more money.
Question

Can I use a phone battery instead?

Community Answer

You can use a phone battery, as long as it's the correct voltage. With this circuit, it's made of individual components, rather than the stuff from a disposable camera. If there's a fault, it's easier to find and sort out.
Question

How can I make the effects of the EMP last only temporarily?

Community Answer

Electronics do not work this way; an EMP kills electronics dead. The closest thing to what you want is a jammer, which simply disables RF communication in its range.

Warnings

EMPs can destroy electrical equipment. It's OK if the equipment is yours, but it's illegal to destroy other people's without their permission.

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