[RE-wrenches] Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP)

Sun Mar 20 12:23:26 PDT 2011

Polyphaser builds high speed surge arrestors--some of which are EMP
rated--and some of which are military spec. They probably have a bit of that
"definitive information" that Drake mentions, but maybe this is back in some
dusty lab instead of front & center on the website.

Interesting thread, all. Be sure to report back to the List as you learn
more...so we can all learn more...

Jolliness~

Mick Abraham, Proprietor
www.abrahamsolar.com

Voice: 970-731-4675

On Sun, Mar 20, 2011 at 12:49 PM, Drake <
drake.chamberlin at redwoodalliance.org> wrote:

>  Hi Ray, Allan and All,
>
> That is a very informative article.  Our utility, American Electric Power
> (AEP) is taking steps to deal with the problem before it hits.  This will
> include the ability to remotely disconnect areas of the grid and reconnect
> them from other sources.
>
> As I understand the issue, the EMP is caused by magnetic fields streaming
> through our environment.  As a generator creates power when a wire cuts
> through a magnetic field, the moving field will create currents and voltages
> in conductors.  Long electrical power lines will be strongly affected.
>
> Also affected are the conductors in micro chips and other electronic
> devices.  The tiny conductors in computers can be burned by small electrical
> impulses, as evidenced by the fact that care must be taken when working
> inside a computer to ground your hand on the frame.  A potential, generated
> by walking on a nylon carpet and arcing from your finger, can destroy your
> computer's processor.  In a similar fashion, the conductors in a great
> number of electronic devices are susceptible to damage by potentials
> resulting from rapidly moving magnetic fields.  As micro chips are in so
> many products these days, many things will not operate after a major EMP
> event, including the electronic ignitions in automobiles.
>
> In military context, an EMP may be generated in order to shut down a
> society by producing a high altitude nuclear blast.  It is an effect that
> has been studied at length.  We have not had any major, naturally occurring
> EMP activity since the micro electronic age began.
>
> My concern for the list is what the effect on PV systems will be.  Having a
> spare inverter may not help, because it could be damaged even though it is
> not connected.  But what about PV modules?  They have very small conductors
> within them.  Could a significant EMP produce enough potential to damage
> modules?  If this were to become an issue, who would be liable for the
> damage?  Lightning potential can be shunted to ground by proper grounding
> procedures.  I'm not sure the same would be true for potential generated
> inside the busses of a module by a pulsed magnetic field.
>
> It would be good to get some definitive information about these issues.
>
> Drake
>
>
> At 02:34 AM 3/20/2011, you wrote:
>
> Hi Allan;
>
> http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/space/7819201/Nasa-warns-solar-flares-from-huge-space-storm-will-cause-devastation.html
> http://science.nasa.gov/heliophysics/big-questions/how-does-solar-variability-affect-human-society-technological-systems-and-the-habitability-of-planets/
>  http://science.howstuffworks.com/solar-flare-electronics.htm
>  http://www.wind-sun.com/ForumVB/showthread.php?t=10548
>
>
> Should I shield all my electronics under my lead batteries, or is this our
> next Y2K non event?
>
> Ray
>
>
>
>
> On Mar 19, 2011, at 11:58 AM, Allan Sindelar wrote:
>
> For those of us less aware of solar flare issues and what we might expect
> that relates to PV, could someone provide a good link to educate us?
> Thanks, Allan
>
> *Allan Sindelar*
> * Allan at positiveenergysolar.com*
> NABCEP Certified Photovoltaic Installer
> NABCEP Certified Technical Sales Professional
> New Mexico EE98J Journeyman Electrician
> *Positive Energy, Inc.*
> 3201 Calle Marie
> Santa Fe, New Mexico 87507
> *505 424-1112*
> * www.positiveenergysolar.com*
>
> *
> *
>
> On 3/19/2011 11:48 AM, R Ray Walters wrote:
>
> Hi Drake;
>
> No, I don't have answers, just more of your same concerns. I had a high
> altitude (12,500 ft) installation damaged recently, possibly by a solar
> flare in Feb; we lost a C40 charge controller.
> At this point, I don't know if the flare was the cause or not, but I would
> expect more problems at higher altitudes.
> So far, my internet research says that the panels and batteries would be
> ok, but we might expect damage to electronics similar to the induced high
> voltages caused by lightning.
> Would grounding help? (I, too, also considered the Faraday cage....)
>
> NASA is predicting the solar storm of a generation for 2012-2013, and I
> read of a similar EMP incident in the 1800s that set telegraph equipment on
> fire.
> I think very long utility lines and transformers at the ends of those lines
> are the most vulnerable, so this could be more of GridTie issue?
>
> R. Walters
> ray at solarray.com
> Solar Engineer
>
>
>
>
> On Mar 19, 2011, at 8:53 AM, Drake wrote:
>
> Hello Wrenches,
>
> I had an inquiry concerning the effect of EMP on photovoltaic systems.  We
> are heading for a period of solar activity that likely will produce this
> effect.  According to a local AEP (American Electric Power) representative,
> the utility is spending a lot of money to counter this anticipated problem.
> Additionally, nuclear related issues are moving back to the front burner.
>
> It is clear that the pulse would damage an inverter, but possibly it could
> be put in a Faraday cage.  But a number of questions arise.
>
>    - Would the pulse damage the modules?
>    - Could the large currents and voltages induced by EMP damage the
>    conductors in the cells?
>    - Even if the inverters were surrounded by a Faraday cage, would
>    induced currents & voltages from the modules harm the inverters?
>       - Would series fuses and surge protectors be adequate protection.
>
> Has any research been done in this area?  Does anyone know answers to any
> of these questions?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Drake
>
> Drake Chamberlin
> Athens Electric
> OH License 44810
> CO license 3773
> NABCEP Certified PV
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>  Drake Chamberlin
> Athens Electric
> OH License 44810
> CO license 3773
> NABCEP Certified PV
>
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