How does an EMP attack hurt electronics? Please correct me if I'm wrong. I wrote this earlier:  A magnetic field passing by a piece of copper or conductive wire will create a current. Any length of copper wire, straight or coiled, will create a current during an EMP attack (which is a magnetic field) and blow certain components, like cheap Chinese resistors or capacitors, if the current exceeds the component's rating. You only need one component to blow and then the device stops working. Most people don't know how to replace said components. I know a little about electronics. A blown resistor or cap can be hard to ID if it's burned and black, since it can no longer be tested by any method. If I can't ID it I can't replace it. The same goes with a blown IC chip, if there are no markings on it visible, it cannot be replaced. If there are clear and complete markings on it, finding a replacement will be next to impossible for 99% of Americans. Many Chinese chips have no markings because they are illegal copies of patented chips! Most things these days have circuit boards that can blow a component, even cars, washing machines, etc.