Editing Detonating cord (section)

== Effects ==
As a transmission medium, it can act as a downline between the initiator (usually a trigger) and the blast area, and as a trunkline connecting several different explosive charges. As a timing mechanism, detonation cord [[detonation|detonates]] at a very reliable rate (about [[Orders of magnitude (speed)|6,000–7,000]] m/s or {{Convert|7000-8000|m/s|disp=out}}), enabling engineers to control the pattern in which charges are detonated. This is particularly useful for demolitions, when structural elements need to be destroyed in a specific order to control the collapse of a building.

While it looks like [[nylon]] cord, the core is a compressed powdered [[explosive material|explosive]], usually PETN (pentrite), and it is initiated by the use of a [[blasting cap]]. Detonation cord will initiate most commercial high explosives ([[dynamite]], [[gelignite]], sensitised gels, etc.) but will not initiate less sensitive blasting agents like [[ANFO]] on its own. 25 to 50 grain/foot (5.3 to 10.6 g/m) detonation cord has approximately the same initiating power as a #8 blasting cap in every 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10&nbsp;cm) along its entire length. A small charge of PETN, [[TNT]], or other [[explosive booster]] is required to bridge between the cord and a charge of insensitive blasting agent like ANFO or most [[Water gel explosive|water gels]].