According to a Research report, the global detonator market is predicted to grow by 733.6 million by 2026 which is slightly less than what was predicted in the year 2020. But because of the pandemic, the entire global economy has come to a standstill but every industrial explosives company in India is ensuring to manufacture all kinds of detonators demanded by its customers so that they do not fall short of anything that is needed for their projects. Now the debate about the electric vs non-electric detonator has always been in talks because of the different benefits it has to offer. Let us learn the difference between both in an easy language and see which one could be your best bet for your next project (Anonymous, 2022).
Electric Detonator
Its meaning is revealed by itself. The electric detonator, which consists of a fuse head, cap, and leg wire, requires an electric discharge to function. Two metal contact foils make up the fused head; one end of each foil is attached to the leg wire and the other end to the bridge wire. The leg wire is just the metal wires that are insulated with plastic and provide electric waves to initiate the detonator. The blasting cap is a small, sensitive main explosive device that is typically used to explode bigger or secondary explosives.
Non-Electric detonator
Non-electric initiation system, which consists of a shock tube assembled to a high power detonator, with a determined length and delay to initiate the explosive load (Non-Electric Detonator – Conventional Detonators, n.d.). The non-electric initiation system is designed to initiate explosives, including ones charged pneumatically into a blast hole, in open-pit and underground non-coal mines. The system enables any blasting pattern of practically any number of blast holes, which significantly improves the blasting economics. It is an extremely flexible solution which can be adapted to the individual needs of each mine and the properties of the excavated rock (Non-Electric Detonators, n.d.).
Which one to choose?
Detonators are devices used to initiate explosives in mining, construction, demolition, and military applications. The two main types are electric and non-electric detonators, each with distinct mechanisms, advantages, and safety considerations. Your choice depends on your needs. Table 1 compare electric and non-electric detonators.
| Feature | Electric Detonators | Non-Electric Detonators |
| Initiation Method | Electric current via wires and a bridge wire | Shock tube or detonating cord (no electricity) |
| Components | Fuse head, cap, leg wires, bridge wire | Plastic shock tube with reactive inner coating |
| Delay Accuracy | Good (milliseconds to seconds) | Good, but less precise than electronic types |
| Safety | Sensitive to stray currents, static, and EM fields | Immune to stray currents and radio frequencies |
| Operational Flexibility | Moderate; requires careful handling of wires | High; easy to use, quick connections |
| Susceptibility | Vulnerable to accidental initiation by electricity | Vulnerable to heat, impact, and lightning |
| Waterproofing | Generally waterproof | Generally waterproof |
| Cost | Typically lower than electronic detonators | Similar or slightly higher than electric types |
| Use Cases | Mining, quarrying, construction, demolition | Mining, quarrying, construction, demolition |
Reference
Anonymous. (2022, May 2). Choosing Detonators: Electric vs Non-electric. SBLenergy. https://www.sblenergy.com/post/electric-detonator-vs-non-electric-detonator
Non-Electric Detonator—Conventional Detonators. (n.d.). Enaex Chile. Retrieved April 15, 2025, from https://www.enaex.com/cl/us/non-electric-detonator/
Non-electric detonators. (n.d.). NITROERG. Retrieved April 15, 2025, from https://nitroerg.pl/produkt/zapalniki-nieelektryczne/
