TIMING UNCERTAINTY OF ELECTRICAL DETONATORS: A STOCHASTIC STUDY

Electrical detonators are widely used in mining, civil engineering, and defence applications where precise control of the detonation time delay is essential for safety and efficiency. This delay refers to the response time of the detonator after receiving the initiation signal. Understanding and reducing it is key to achieve reliable performance and reproducible results. This study examines the influence of the power supply on the detonation time delay using two electrical circuits: one employing a voltage divider to measure the response time, and one integrating a shunt resistor to monitor the current flowing through the detonator prior to detonation. Tests are conducted under various laboratory power supply conditions (20V/2.5A, 30V/2.5A, 60V/2.5A) and utilizing a blast machine to characterize the detonator’s response across different operating configurations. By accurately characterizing the detonator’s initiation parameters, including timing precision and energy input, a predictive rough estimation of the detonation time delay as a function of the voltage can be developed. The results provide a guideline for the timing precision of in-field used electrical detonators.