A detonator for initiating a detonation event, which comprises two subsystems comprising: a non-energetics based subsystem that is free of explosive material, having: a controller; a low voltage to high voltage converter controlled by the controller; a primary energy source coupled to the low voltage to high voltage converter; and a secondary energy source controlled by the controller; and an initiating subsystem, having: a high voltage switch; an initiator electrically coupled in series with the high voltage switch; and an initiating pellet positioned in cooperation with the initiator, having explosive material comprising at least one insensitive secondary explosive material, wherein the explosive material is free of sensitive primary explosive material and is positioned such that functioning the initiator detonates the explosive material of the initiating pellet; wherein the non-energetics based subsystem further comprises a first interface including a first pair of conductive contacts spaced by an insulator, where each of the conductive contacts of the first pair is electrically coupled to a circuit path associated with the primary energy source; the initiating subsystem further comprises a second interface having a pair of interface legs that mate with the first interface to electrically connect the circuit of the high voltage switch and initiator with the primary energy source; the interface legs of the second interface are self-shunting and thus short to one another when the initiating subsystem is removed from the non-energetics based subsystem; and the insulator of the first interface is arranged so as to separate the self-shunting legs and guide each leg to a corresponding one of the conductive contacts when the non-energetics based subsystem is suitably assembled with the initiating subsystem by mating the first interface with the second interface; and wherein the initiating subsystem is selectively coupled or uncoupled from the non-energetics based subsystem. a non-energetics based subsystem that is free of explosive material, having: a controller; a low voltage to high voltage converter controlled by the controller; a primary energy source coupled to the low voltage to high voltage converter; and a secondary energy source controlled by the controller; and a controller; a low voltage to high voltage converter controlled by the controller; a primary energy source coupled to the low voltage to high voltage converter; and a secondary energy source controlled by the controller; and an initiating subsystem, having: a high voltage switch; an initiator electrically coupled in series with the high voltage switch; and an initiating pellet positioned in cooperation with the initiator, having explosive material comprising at least one insensitive secondary explosive material, wherein the explosive material is free of sensitive primary explosive material and is positioned such that functioning the initiator detonates the explosive material of the initiating pellet; wherein a high voltage switch; an initiator electrically coupled in series with the high voltage switch; and an initiating pellet positioned in cooperation with the initiator, having explosive material comprising at least one insensitive secondary explosive material, wherein the explosive material is free of sensitive primary explosive material and is positioned such that functioning the initiator detonates the explosive material of the initiating pellet; wherein the non-energetics based subsystem further comprises a first interface including a first pair of conductive contacts spaced by an insulator, where each of the conductive contacts of the first pair is electrically coupled to a circuit path associated with the primary energy source; the initiating subsystem further comprises a second interface having a pair of interface legs that mate with the first interface to electrically connect the circuit of the high voltage switch and initiator with the primary energy source; the interface legs of the second interface are self-shunting and thus short to one another when the initiating subsystem is removed from the non-energetics based subsystem; and the insulator of the first interface is arranged so as to separate the self-shunting legs and guide each leg to a corresponding one of the conductive contacts when the non-energetics based subsystem is suitably assembled with the initiating subsystem by mating the first interface with the second interface; and wherein the initiating subsystem is selectively coupled or uncoupled from the non-energetics based subsystem.