FAQ about EMPs

What is an EMP?

Electromagnetic pulse (EMP) is an electromagnetic wave similar to radio waves, which results from secondary reactions occurring when the nuclear gamma radiation is absorbed in the air or ground. It differs from the usual radio waves in two important ways. First, it creates much higher electric field strengths. Whereas a radio signal might produce a thousandth of a volt or less in a receiving antenna, an EMP pulse might produce thousands of volts. Secondly, it is a single pulse of energy that disappears completely in a small fraction of a second. In this sense, it is rather similar to the electrical signal from lightning, but the rise in voltage is typically a hundred times faster. This means that most equipment designed to protect electrical facilities from lightning works too slowly to be effective against EMP.

There is no evidence that EMP is a physical threat to humans. However, electrical or electronic systems, particularly those connected to long wires such as power lines or antennas, can undergo damage. There could be actual physical damage to an electrical component or a temporary disruption of operation.

Common causes of EMP

Solar flares and lightning strikes are the most common forms of EMP that we come across at RPS solar. There are other forms of EMPs that have the possibility of needing protection from but luckily, they're all protected from in the same way.

Protecting from an EMP

In the case of an EMP event, the best way to keep your controller safe is to physically protect it from the waves that would otherwise damage it. 

We recommend using faraday cloth or bag to completely cover the entire controller, leaving no gaps. This will however render the controller out of commission while covered as the cords cannot be connected. These can be purchased online.

EMP and Solar Panels

An EMP is highly unlikely to disrupt solar panels as there are very few moving parts or circuitry within the panels, therefore they are unharmed by emp events that would otherwise damage the circuitry in the controller. The EMP event can however travel from an unprotected controller, down the wiring and into a solar panel to disrupt backflow diodes and damage them in that way.