How to Make an Electromagnetic Pulse

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Last Updated: September 22, 2024 Fact Checked

An EMP, or electromagnetic pulse, is a naturally occurring phenomenon caused by a sudden, rapid acceleration of particles (generally electrons) that create an intense burst of electromagnetic energy.^{[1]
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Research source} Some everyday occurring causes of EMPs are: lightning, ignition systems of combustion engines, and solar flares.^{[2]
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Research source} While EMPs can potentially damage electronics, this technology can also be used to purposefully and safely disable electronic devices or to ensure the security of personal or confidential data.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Creating a Simple EMP Emitter

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1
Gather your materials. To create a simple electromagnetic pulse, you will need a disposable camera, copper wire, rubber gloves, solder and soldering tools, and an iron rod. These components can be found at your local hardware store.
- The thicker gauge copper wire you use in this experiment, the more powerful your electromagnetic pulse will be.
- In the event an iron rod is not available to you, you can use a non-metal rod as a substitute. However, a non-metal rod will have a negative impact on the strength of your EMP.
- When working with electrical components that could be holding a charge, or when running an electrical current through an object, it is recommended you wear rubber gloves to prevent any errant shocks to yourself.
An electromagnetic coil is a device that is made up of two distinct yet integral parts: a conductor and a core.^{[3]
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Research source} In this case, your iron rod will be your core and your copper wire the conductor.

Wrap your copper wire tightly around your core, leaving little to no gaps in your windings.^{[4]
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Research source} You should leave excess wire at the beginning and end of your winding so that you can connect your coil to your flash capacitor.

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Solder the ends of your electromagnetic coil to a capacitor. A capacitor is generally a double-pronged, cylindrical shaped component found on most circuit boards. Your disposable camera should have a capacitor for its flash.^{[5]
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Research source} Be sure that the battery of your disposable camera is removed before attempting to solder the ends of your coil to the capacitor, or else you could get a nasty shock.
- Wearing rubber gloves can save you from getting an electric jolt while handling your camera circuit and flash capacitor.
- Expend the charge in your capacitor by engaging the flash after removing the batteries from your camera. Any stored charge in your camera can result in an electrical shock.^{[6]
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  Research source}
4
Find a safe place to test your EMP device. Depending on the materials you have used, the effective range of your EMP shouldn't be more than a few feet in any direction. Be that as it may, any electronics caught in your EMP may be permanently destroyed.
- Keep in mind that EMP's indiscriminately influence electronics. This includes life-supporting devices, like pacemakers, and valuables like cellular phones. Any damage you cause to these devices through your EMP could result in legal repercussions.
- A grounded platform, like a tree stump or plastic table, is an ideal testing surface for your EMP emitter.
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Find a suitable test object. Since the electromagnetic pulse field will only affect electronics, you may want to buy an inexpensive electronic device from your local electronics store. If your electronic device ceases to function after your EMP, you have successfully created an electromagnetic pulse.
- Many office supply stores have affordable electronic calculators that you can use to test your EMP.
You will need electricity to re-charge your capacitor, which will then provide the current to your electromagnetic coil and create your EMP. Be sure you have placed your test object close to your EMP emitter.

Note: Electromagnetic fields are, in most cases, invisible to the eye.^{[7]
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Go to source} If you don't have a test object, even if you have successfully created an EMP, you may not know it.
You can do this by removing the wires from the electromagnetic coil, allowing the current from the battery to feed into the capacitor, and then with a insulated manipulator (like rubber gloves or plastic tongs), reattach the wires of your coil to your capacitor. Using your bare hands could result in a taser-like zap.
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Activate your flash capacitor. By activating the flash of your camera, you will release the stored electricity in it, which will surge through your electromagnetic coil and create your EMP.
- The nature of the EMP field you are creating will affect any electronics, even those that are switched off. If you have chosen a calculator as your test object, after activating your capacitor, if your EMP has worked, the calculator will not turn on.
- Depending on the kind of flash capacitor you have used, the voltage required to charge your capacitor will be variable. The approximate capacitance for a disposable camera should be between 80-160 microfarads, and the voltage will likely be between 180-330 volts.^{[8]
  X
  Research source
  Mims, Forrest M. <i>Forrest Mims' Circuit Scrapbook II</i>. Indianapolis, IN, USA: H.W. Sams, 1986. 149. Print.}

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Making a Handheld EMP Device

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1
Gather your materials. The construction of your handheld EMP device will go most smoothly if you have all the tools and components required for construction on hand. You will need:
- AA battery
- AA battery holder
- Copper wire
- Cardboard
- Disposable camera (with flash)
- Electrical tape
- Iron core (circular shaped preferred)
- Rubber gloves
- Simple electrical switch
- Solder and soldering iron
- Walkie-talkie antenna
2
Remove your camera circuit board. Inside your disposable camera, you will see a main circuit board that controls the functions of your camera. Remove the batteries first, and then remove the circuit board, taking note of the position of the flash capacitor.
- Wearing rubber gloves can save you from getting an electric jolt while handling your camera circuit and flash capacitor.
- Capacitors generally look like cylinders attached to the circuit board with two prongs. This will be a necessary component for you EMP device.
- Expend the charge in your capacitor by engaging the flash after removing the batteries from your camera. Any stored charge in your camera can result in an electrical shock.
Be sure that you have an adequate length of copper wire; your wrap should evenly and completely cover your iron core. You should also wrap your wire tightly, as a loose winding will negatively impact your EMP.

Leave some excess copper wire at the ends of your winding. You will need this to connect the rest of your EMP device to your electromagnetic coil.
You walkie-talkie antenna will serve as the stock onto which you fix your electromagnetic coil and camera circuit board. Wrap the base end of your walkie-talkie antenna with electrical tape as a preventative measure for being shocked.
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Affix your camera circuit to a sturdy piece of cardboard. Your cardboard will serve as another insulator to prevent any unpleasant electrical shocks. Use your electrical tape, taking care not to cover any of the electric pathways of your camera circuit, and attach it to your piece of cardboard.
- You'll want to attach your camera circuit face up so that the capacitor and its connection pathways aren't interfered with by the cardboard.
- Your cardboard mount for your camera circuit should have some additional space for your AA holder.
Since current will be running through your coil to create your EMP, it's a good idea to double insulate your antenna by putting another small piece of cardboard between your coil and the antenna. You can then use your electrical tape to attach your coil to the cardboard.
Solder your power source. Find the battery connector tabs on your camera circuit and connect them to the corresponding positive and negative ends of your AA battery holder. This can then be attached to a free space on your cardboard camera circuit mount with electrical tape.
The excess wire that you left at the beginning and end of your copper wire winding will need to be soldered to the electrodes of your flash capacitor. To control the flow of electricity between your capacitor and electromagnetic coil, you should tie in your electrical switch between these two components.

You should wear rubber gloves during this portion of your EMP device assembly. Any remaining charge in your capacitor could shock you.
Use your electrical tape to firmly attach your cardboard mount and its component to your antenna. You should attach your mount above the base of your antenna, which you should have already insulated with electrical tape.
A simple, inexpensive calculator is ideal for testing your handheld EMP device. Depending on the materials and technique you used in the construction of your device, the range of your EMP field may include only the immediate vicinity of your coil, or it may reach up to several feet around the coil.

Any electronics caught in your EMP could be permanently damaged. Make sure you have chosen a location far enough away from electronics that you don't inadvertently do harm. You could be liable for any damage you cause with your EMP.
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Test your handheld EMP device. Check that the switch for your device is set to off, and then install your batteries into the AA battery holder on your cardboard mount. Grasping your EMP device by the insulated base of the antenna, like a Ghostbuster Neutron Wand, hold your electromagnetic coil toward your test object and flick your switch to the "On" position.
- If you are not confident in your knowledge or construction of electrical components, you may want to wear a pair of rubber gloves when operating your device, as an added precaution.
- If your device has successfully worked, your test object, and any other electronics caught in your EMP field, will not turn on.
- Depending on the kind of flash capacitor you have used, the voltage required to charge your capacitor will be variable. The approximate capacitance for a disposable camera should be between 80-160 microfarads, and the voltage will likely be between 180-330 volts.^{[9]
  X
  Research source
  Mims, Forrest M. <i>Forrest Mims' Circuit Scrapbook II</i>. Indianapolis, IN, USA: H.W. Sams, 1986. 149. Print.}

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Tips

The size of the copper wire and length of the coil will determine the strength and radius of the electromagnetic pulse. For safety, start with a small device to test the effectiveness of your design before creating a larger, more powerful pulse.

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Warnings

You could be liable for any damage you cause to electronics with your EMP.

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Working with electromagnetic pulses can be dangerous. There is a risk of shock, or in some rare cases, explosion, fire, or electronic damage. Clear electronic devices from your working area prior to creating the copper coil. Any electronic devices within a distance of several feet from the pulse could be damaged.

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