Which of the following represents the common types of switches used on IEDs?

• A. Manual, Pressure, Magnetic
• B. Remote, Seismic, Temperature
• C. Mechanical, Infrared, Proximity
• D. Command, Timed, Victim-operated

Answer: (D)

Initiation switches on improvised explosive devices are typically categorized by how the detonation is triggered. The most common trio is command (remote) detonators, timed detonators, and victim-operated triggers. A command detonation is actuated from a distance by the person preparing the device, often via a wired or wireless link. A timed detonation uses a timer to trigger the explosion after a predetermined interval, allowing deployment and detonation on schedule. A victim-operated trigger relies on someone nearby to activate the device, such as stepping on a pressure plate or pulling a cord. These three cover the broad and traditional ways such devices are initiated. Other sensor-based or proximity triggers exist in some devices, but they are less representative of the standard switch types used across many IEDs.