A surge protection apparatus includes a signal determination unit configured to generate a control signal by detecting a surge on a power line, and a switching unit connected between the power line and a ground terminal and configured to include a power transistor that is turned on in response to the control signal.

An apparatus detects an E3 phase and E1 and E2 phases of an electromagnetic pulse (EMP). A pulse detector detects E1 and E2. A sustained level detector connects to a mains utility power supply line to detect E3. A delay timer holds an indication of a detected E1 or E2 for a predetermined time limit of about 10 minutes. A latch holds an indication that an EMP has occurred when an E3 occurs following an E1 or E2 within the predetermined time limit. An alarm indicates an EMP. A mechanical actuator disconnects the mains utility power supply line from utility power when an EMP is so indicated. The mechanical actuator can be mounted to a panel front face of a circuit breaker box in a configuration to push open a switch surface of a circuit breaker switch lever.

An infrasound detector comprises an infrasound transducer, signal feedback path, and feedback force transducer. The infrasound transducer is configured to transduce an infrasound signal to an electrical signal. The signal feedback path is arranged to feed a feedback signal from the infrasound transducer to a feedback force transducer. The feedback force transducer is configured to transduce a feedback electrical signal to a feedback force signal and arranged to provide the feedback force signal as input to the infrasound transducer.

In some examples, a system comprises a nuclear event detector (NED) to issue a nuclear event status signal, a primary power supply to issue a power status signal, a backup power supply, a non-volatile storage, and a processor coupled to the non-volatile storage and the NED and switchably coupled to the primary and backup power supplies. The processor is to store a state of the processor to the non-volatile storage based on the nuclear event status signal, and the processor is to selectively receive power from either the primary power supply or the backup power supply based on the nuclear event status signal and the power status signal.

In some examples, a system comprises a nuclear event detector (NED) to issue a nuclear event status signal, a primary power supply to issue a power status signal, a backup power supply, a non-volatile storage, and a processor coupled to the non-volatile storage and the NED and switchably coupled to the primary and backup power supplies. The processor is to store a state of the processor to the non-volatile storage based on the nuclear event status signal, and the processor is to selectively receive power from either the primary power supply or the backup power supply based on the nuclear event status signal and the power status signal.

A surge protection apparatus includes a signal determination unit configured to generate a control signal by detecting a surge on a power line, and a switching unit connected between the power line and a ground terminal and configured to include a power transistor that is turned on in response to the control signal.

In some examples, a system comprises a nuclear event detector (NED) to issue a nuclear event status signal, a primary power supply to issue a power status signal, a backup power supply, a non-volatile storage, and a processor coupled to the non-volatile storage and the NED and switchably coupled to the primary and backup power supplies. The processor is to store a state of the processor to the non-volatile storage based on the nuclear event status signal, and the processor is to selectively receive power from either the primary power supply or the backup power supply based on the nuclear event status signal and the power status signal.

An infrasound detector for determining illicit nuclear explosions, comprising an infrasound transducer, signal feedback path, and feedback force transducer. The infrasound transducer is configured to transduce an infrasound signal to an electrical signal. The signal feedback path is arranged to feed a feedback signal from the infrasound transducer to a feedback force transducer. The feedback force transducer is configured to transduce a feedback electrical signal to a feedback force signal and arranged to provide the feedback force signal as input to the infrasound transducer, allowing seismic noise and/or environmental noise to be removed. The infrasound detector also allows for in-situ calibrations.

An apparatus detects an E3 phase and E1 and E2 phases of an electromagnetic pulse (EMP). A pulse detector detects E1 and E2. A sustained level detector connects to a mains utility power supply line to detect E3. A delay timer holds an indication of a detected E1 or E2 for a predetermined time limit of about 10 minutes. A latch holds an indication that an EMP has occurred when an E3 occurs following an E1 or E2 within the predetermined time limit. An alarm indicates an EMP. A mechanical actuator disconnects the mains utility power supply line from utility power when an EMP is so indicated. The mechanical actuator can be mounted to a panel front face of a circuit breaker box in a configuration to push open a switch surface of a circuit breaker switch lever.

A system and method are proposed to protect critical infrastructure assets from an electromagnetic pulse event. Detonation of a nuclear warhead or geomagnetic storms created by solar corona ejecta or an attack by directed energy weapons can create an electromagnetic pulse event. Several embodiments are disclosed that use radio frequency (RF) sensors, electrostatic discharge sensors and geomagnetic sensors that feed sensor signals to an event characterization and detection unit that analyzes and predicts early occurrence of an electromagnetic pulse event. Critical sensor signals are recorded for future use and are used to refine autonomic algorithms used to predict future electromagnetic pulse events from the sensor data.