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Gadsden1st :" EMP is similar to the Solar Flare in that they can vary in size and damage.
One can affect individual electronics such as car computers, etc.
Many opinions on just how bad this would be."

One of the Solar Flare incidents mentioned last night was the "Carrington Effect" which occur approximately every 150 years,
a solar flare which occurred in the 1850 which caused disruption of telegraph communication (the most advanced electrical system at that time),
causing wires to burn, and started numerous fires.

Noted last night is that the USA doesn't have a reserve of transformers, heavy duty wires to replace the system if it burned out from the "Carrington Effect".
Transformers are ordered 'as needed' on a case by case basis: most transformers are custom ordered from China, and take more than 30 days to be replaced.
An electric collapse might have a 'Domino Effect' on the electrical grid system, similar to what happened in the eastern US, when the NorthEast went dark for several days.
An electronic collapse would be more severe due to the sophistication of communication, power systems on the grid, transportation, and guidance devices.
Most power companies see protection from Solar Flares of the "Carrington Effect"/ EMPs as needless expense, and have resisted installing protective devices.
These power companies ignore the effect that it would have on National Defense, communications, and the general welfare of the nations citizenry,

The Carrington event caused fires in telegraph offices and turned railroad rails cherry red. Those were the only serious conductors at the time. Another event like that in the current day would be setting our homes and businesses ablaze due to the power, cable and phone wiring acting as large antennas to capture the energy. It would be a problem on most of the surface of the earth as the globe rotates during the event. An EMP is localized to the hemisphere under the weapon and less so due to the limited horizen determined by the height of burst.