Isn't it still an EMP that causes the EMI?
Tom
Tom, IIRC one difference would be the type of interference (induction vs radiation) and the magnitude. But yes, EMPs do cause a type of EMI.
Lots of things cause EMI. EMPs produce a large amount of it. EMI does not generally produce an EMP, however, unless you manage to compress several megawatts into several microseconds. There are research labs where precisely that is done. I believe the Mythbusters visited one such facility once.
EMPs are a very specific form of EMI. EMI, or ElectroMagnetic Interference for those not sure of what we're talking about, is any radiated energy that causes undesirable operation in other electrical equipment. Any of you old enough to have seen your tube TVs' pictures wobble when the microwave or even vacuum cleaner was turned on know this effect.
It works on the concept of induction - any length of wire or circuitry will act as an inductor [antenna], and will transform radiated energy into voltage. Radios and radars depend on this concept for their operation. The crank sensors, if not properly shielded, will transform the radiated energy of the spark plug wires and alternator into a very small voltage, but voltage sufficient to confuse the PCM and cause a poor-running engine.
The foil shield acts as a RF blocker, and the ground attached to it shunts that radiated energy back to the battery and away from the hall effect wires.
An EMP (ElectroMagnetic Pulse) is an altogether different flavor of ice cream; at its heart it is still EMI like any other, but if EMI is a large sparkler, an EMP is a quarter-stick of dynamite. It is most commonly associated with nuclear weaponry, which releases enormous amounts of energy in nearly every conceivable band, including radio frequencies. More importantly, it does it very quickly.
The effect of this is that while EMI caused by an errant or poorly shielded motor may induce anywhere from .01 to 1 or 2 volts in a nearby system, which would cause annoyance and slight malfunction, an EMP burst will introduce hundreds or even thousands of volts into every circuit path of every piece of electronic equipment nearby (and nearby might mean within 100 miles), and at not insignificant current.
Naturally, introducing that much power into the tiny, tiny little transistors and ICs that run our modern life will make them go kerplooey. Everything that relies on voltage will cease to function (from PS3s to Pacemakers), and that especially goes for radios and radar sets, items which depend on sensitivity to radiated energy.
I have a vested interest in this as my particular field is in naval aviation - and avionics in particular. As my signature suggests, the particular type of aircraft I work on is a little more sensitive to the effects of an EMP burst than most; a lot of our work entails ensuring that pieces of gear are properly shielded from EMI and EMPs.
And that concludes the lesson for today.