And how does it work

 

Here is what I am referring to

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electromagnetic_pulse

 

it doesn't talk about devices which utilize electromagnetic pulse but I think I saw in a movie where it was used to disable alot of electronic devices. does that have any truth to it in reality?

Yes an EMP can fry electronics.

The page you linked includes different sources of EMP including man made. EMP causes induced voltages see induction.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electromagnetic_induction

 

for example a lightning bolt can fry nearby electronics even if it doesn't hit them through electromagnetic induction

So is an electromagnetic pulse just electromagnetic induction? like how transformers work....?

Fairly close without going into too much detail. There is a ton on the subject on WWW. Including some protection methods though vs nuclear insufficient

One can protect electronic circuits against a nuclear-produced EMP. Military circuits are protected since decades. It doesn't demand very expensive nor heavy hardware: it's more a matter of doing it properly, which isn't obvious.

 

By the way, the pulse produced by a nuclear detonation at altitude isn't necessarily stronger than from other sources, say a flux ciompressor. It harms a larger area.

It is an Electro Magnetic Pulse emitter. Most of these are banned and can harm any electronic equipments with the radius of the EMP device. Mostly the radius remains within 2-3 feet. Bring a mobile phone near it when the EMP device is on, and POOF goes your phone.