what does emp mean
An electromagnetic pulse (EMP) is an intense burst of electromagnetic (EM) energy caused by an abrupt, rapid acceleration of charged particles, usually electron s. An EMP can contain energy components over a large part of the EM spectrum , from very-low-frequency ( VLF ) radio to ultraviolet ( UV ) wavelength s. A lightning strike produces a localized EMP that gives rise to large electrical current s in nearby wires. A single current surge can damage sensitive hardware such as computers and peripherals. All electronic and communications systems should have some form of protection against the effects of an EMP.