A trigger forms an essential part of almost all explosives and the same holds true for Improvised explosive devices. Without the trigger there is no saying when and how the bomb will go off. The trigger gives control to the user and allows the bomb to work within the frame desired by the user.
Below is a categorization of the various types of explosives based on the trigger of the bomb.
• CWIED- this the acronym for command wire improvised explosive devices. Here the IED is triggered off by an electrical cable. This sort of a trigger allows the user complete control of the IED right up to the moment when the initiator goes off.
• RCIED- These letters stand for radio controlled improvised explosive device. In most cases an RCIED will use mechanisms like a car alarm, cell phones, door bells, pagers, GMRS radios, etc in order to create the trigger. These triggers can be used from a distance and herein lies its advantage. This radio link works by connecting the receiver to an electric circuit. Once the receiver gets a signal from the transmitter, it sets off the switch that is gives out the firing spark to the explosive. It is very important that the transmitter and the receiver operate at the same frequency and do not allow for random radio signals to intervene.
• Cell phone RCIED- These are simply radio controlled IEDs that are operated via a cell phone. In this case the cell phone is altered in order to act as a trigger. The UHF band is what the cell phone operates on and they mostly work within line of sight to the BTS or base transceiver station.
• VOIED- This acronym stands for victim operated improvised explosive devices. Here the trigger is set off after contact with the victim. Tripwire, pressure mats, spring-loaded release, push, pull or tilt are all forms of VOIED triggers. The under vehicle IED is also a form of VOIED. These bombs are often known as booby traps and follow a trigger system similar to that of land mines.
• Infrared- Information you can find about explosive stimulant teach you that the infrared method was devised due to a need to conceal the trigger. Since the other triggers discussed above were being commonly identified, the infrared trigger came into being. This method uses undetectable hard wires from the IED itself in order to detonate the bomb. Interestingly, while today this method is considered a very sophisticated one, it was developed way back in the 90s. The system though initially developed by the British army passed on to the hands of the IRA. From here it was taught to the Palestine Liberation Organization and from then the information moved to all of Iraq. Iraq and the occupational forces find that using the infrared triggers helps them to conceal the IEDs from their enemies and also explode the bomb according to plan.
These are the basic triggers that are used for improvised explosive devices. The type of trigger most suitable for the device will depend on the material at hand, the motive of the IED and also the expertise of the maker.