Measurement procedures for electromagnetic compatibility assessment of electroexplosive devices

Electroexplosive devices (EEDs) are electrically fired explosive initiators used in a wide variety of applications. A new and rigorous approach for characterizing EED firing levels is developed in the context of statistical linear models and is demonstrated. The authors combine statistical theory and methodology with thermodynamic modeling to determine the probability that an EED of a particular type fires when excited by a pulse of a given width and amplitude. Methods for assessing model validity and for obtaining probability plots, called firing likelihood plots (FLPs), are included. The results provide information that is crucial for evaluating the effects of currents induced by impulsive electromagnetic fields of short duration relative to the thermal time constant of an EED. Methods of measuring the thermal time constant of an EED and the energy needed to fire an EED with a single current impulse are given. These parameters are necessary not only to determine suitable ranges in the design of the statistical experiment, but also to assess the effect of pulses on EED's in EMC analyses.<>