MHD-EMP protection guidelines

 

Description/Abstract

A nuclear detonation at altitudes several hundred kilometers above the earth will severely distort the earth's magnetic field and result in a strong magnetohyrodynamic electromagnetic pulse (MHD-EMP). The geomagnetic disturbance interacts with the soil to induced current and horizontal electric gradients in the earth. MHD-EMP, also called E3 since it is the third component of the high-altitude EMP (HEMP), lasts over 100 s after the exoatmospheric burst. MHD-EMP is similar to solar geomagnetic storms in it's global and low frequency (less than 1 Hz) nature except that E3 can be much more intense with a far shorter duration. When the MHD-EMP gradients are integrated over great distances by power lines, communication cables, or other long conductors, the induced voltages are significant. (The horizontal gradients in the soil are too small to induce major responses by local interactions with facilities.) The long pulse waveform for MHD-EMP-induced currents on long lines has a peak current of 200 A and a time-to-half-peak of 100 s. If this current flows through transformer windings, it can saturate the magnetic circuit and cause 60 Hz harmonic production. To mitigate the effects of MHD-EMP on a facility, long conductors must be isolated from the building and the commercial power harmonics and voltage swings must be addressed. The transfer switch would be expected to respond to the voltage fluctuations as long as the harmonics have not interfered with the switch control circuitry. The major sources of MHD-EMP induced currents are the commercial power lines and neutral; neutral current indirect coupling to the facility power or ground system via the metal fence, powered gate, parking lights, etc; metal water pipes; phone lines; and other long conductors that enter or come near the facility. The major source of harmonics is the commercial power system.

Authors: Barnes, P.R.; Vance, E.F. Publication Date:1992 Jan 01 OSTI Identifier:OSTI ID: 5628640; Legacy ID: DE92008898 Report Number(s):CONF-920223-4 DOE Contract Number:AC05-84OR21400 Resource Type:Conference/Event Resource Relation: 1992 hardened electronics and radiation technology (HEART) conference, Albuquerque, NM (United States), 24-28 Feb 1992 Research Org:Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (United States) Sponsoring Org:DOD; Department of Defense, Washington, DC (United States) Country of Publication:United States Language:English Format: Size: Pages: (6 p) Other Number(s):Other: ON: DE92008898 Specific Type:Technical Report Subject:24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION; 45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE; ELECTROMAGNETIC PULSES; HYDROMAGNETIC WAVES; POWER SYSTEMS; BLAST EFFECTS; ELECTRIC CONDUCTORS; EQUIPMENT PROTECTION DEVICES; HARMONICS; NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS; POWER TRANSMISSION LINES; RECOMMENDATIONS; VULNERABILITY; ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION; EXPLOSIONS; OSCILLATIONS; PULSES; RADIATIONS Availability:OSTI; NTIS; GPO Dep.; Update Date:2008 Feb 07


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