An electromagnetic pulse (or EMP) is a magic event which disables or destroys some electronic/robotic devices, but leaves others conveniently operational.
Fiction[]
Generation One[]
Super Robot Lifeform Transformer manga[]
Megatron created an EMP cannon called the Omega Whip which he planned to use to hold the Earth hostage. The Autobots intervened and managed to destroy the Omega Whip. Full Throttle Scramble Power!
Devil's Due G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers[]
General Hawk used an EMP to disable Wheeljack and Bumblebee at Area 51. G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 4
Live-action continuity[]
Transformers (2007)[]
Blackout wipes out the military base with EMP bursts.
Sector Seven ARG[]
The Real Gear Robot referred to as AX9-8946-09SU-1 proved to be resistant to an electromagnetic pulse in Sector Seven experiments.
Capture the Cube[]
Dewbot is not resistant to an electromagnetic pulse, but the guards are. Capture the Cube
Revenge of the Fallen (film)[]
Starscream disables military communications in Egypt by setting off an EMP.
Transformers Animated[]
Cartoon continuity[]
Just like Barry White, Ratchet's EMP puts you on your back.
During his days in the Great Wars, Ratchet carried a small EMP generator on his arm. He used this device on low power settings to place patients under general anesthetic, allowing him to perform painful or complex operations without causing the patient discomfort. He described its operation to Arcee, telling her it would "temporarily overload your consciousness center." At higher settings, the device is capable of immediately rendering a Transformer unconscious, even at range, and can also erase memory cores. Unfortunately, the generator was stolen by Lockdown, who used it as a weapon for many years before Ratchet was able to recover it. When Lockdown tried using it on Ratchet, Ratchet revealed that he was immune to it because he's the device's creator, Ratchet manage remove EMP Generator, so Lockdown never use it again The Thrill of the Hunt
In the present, on Earth, Ratchet and Bumblebee can create a directed EMP by "crossing the streams", so to speak, of their respective magnetic and electric weapons. Some combination of this EMP and the Key was seemingly responsible for granting sparks to the lifeless Dinobots. Blast from the Past
The two later used the same kind of electromagnetic pulse to successfully blast Blitzwing out of the air. Megatron Rising - Part 2
Later, Ratchet was forced to use his EMP generator on an out of control Sari, despite the fact that he didn't know how it would affect her, since the latter is part Cybertronian and part human. TransWarped