Detonator
Detonators are compact devices designed to safely initiate and control multiple explosive charges' performance. They contain relatively sensitive high explosives, which can be initiated by electrical or shock energy from an external source. The amount of base charge determines the strength of the detonators contained and is identified by strength number.
Detonation is the process of propagation of a shock wave through an explosive, which is accompanied by a chemical reaction that furnishes energy to maintain the shock wave propagation in a stable manner [Manzoor S. H. & Choudhary B.S, p. 20-21].
Detonators are indispensable in the blasting system as without these, and explosives cannot initiate. The advancements in initiation devices from 1600 to the 1940s could have been more active. However, with the advent of modern technologies like electronics, there have been significant advances in this direction. Electronic detonators have revolutionized the 'hole-to-hole' and 'row-to-row' delay systems.
It is demonstrated that the air overpressure created by other detonators before actual blasting is practically absent in the case of electronic detonators. In this case, the vibration leaves nearby areas before the air pressure pulse reaches the respective place. This prevents human response to blasting since people get alerted only after the vibrations have passed a particular place [Raina, A. K., Agarwal, A., Singh, R. B., & choudhury, P. B., p. 88].
Manzoor, S. H., Choudhary, B. S. (2014). Detonator: evolution, classification and comparison. International journal of research in aeronautical and mechanical engineering, 2(4), 20-28. Retrieved from: https://www.academia.edu/7262939/DETONATOR_EVOLUTION_C
Raina, A. K., Agarwal, A., Singh, R. B., & Choudhury, P. B. (2015). Electronic detonators: The psychological edge. Journal of Mines, Metals & Fuels, 64(4), 88-96. Kolkata: Books & Journals Private Ltd.