EMP

An electromagnetic pulse generator (EMP) is an anti-electronics weapon that mimics the intense EM radiation emitted by a nuclear explosion. The resulting EM field couples with nearby electronics systems, producing massive, damaging electrical currents.

Just before the Cylon attack, an "electric pulse generator" was being transported to Caprica from the Galactica on Colonial Heavy 798 (later Colonial One), presumably to place in a planetside museum or school as a historical artifact (Mini-Series). As the destruction of the ship by a Cylon raid seems imminent, Lee Adama activated the device, giving the appearance that Colonial One had been destroyed by a nuclear blast. This attempt was successful, as the Cylons cut off the assault and Galactica's DRADIS confirmed the ship as destroyed. Colonial One's electronic systems seemed to be fully functional, however, andno further use of EMP weapons are seen.