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A system and method for suppressing EMP-induced electrical system voltage surges due to detonation of a nuclear weapon, the EMP comprising E1, E2, and E3 component pulses. A plurality of shunting assemblies, each including MOVs, gas discharge tubes, other mechanical, electrical and ionization discharge devices and combinations thereof, detect and react to the overvoltage according to timing parameters associated with each of the E1, E2, and E3 components and shunt the overvoltage to decrease to under a predetermined allowable level. Respective shunting assemblies may include automatic self-monitoring of any faults in respective circuitry and also a challenge mode for on-demand circuit monitoring using an optical coupling switch, the optocoupler including an infrared light supplied by an LED flashlight and having a phototransistor light receiver.