Microproessors and similar integrated circuit equipment in local area networks (LAN) are vulnerable to damage from electromagnetic pulse resulting from lightning, short circuits in nearby high voltage cables and nuclear explosions. Existing circuit breaking devices do not provide adequate protection because of their slow reaction time. A device is needed to isolate sensitive equipment from lan distribution cables within and between buildings so pulses will not be transmitted to the integrated circuits and related components. Fiber optic cables do not transmit electromagnetic pulses. This proposal is to research the feasibility of a fiber optic isolator consisting of a transmitter circuit, led connector, length of fiber optic cable, detector connector, and receiver circuit may provide the needed protection.
