Virtual instrument for measurement of firing pulse of electric detonators

Measurement system for testing detonators firing pulse is presented. According to the standard, it is not necessary to measure the actual pulse value, as long as certain pulse parameters are within error limits. It is shown that these error limits are substantial and that actual measurement of delivered current pulse is a better solution. Measurement system is implemented as virtual instrument using some hardware and software for calculation of delivered pulse to the detonator. It is imperative that current measuring transducer has good accuracy and sufficient rise time to measure the energy pulse correctly.