What device is primarily used to detonate a high explosive (HE)?

The device primarily used to detonate a high explosive (HE) is the blasting cap. A blasting cap contains sensitive explosives that, when initiated by a fuse or electric current, generate a shock wave strong enough to effectively trigger the main charge of high explosive material. This process ensures a controlled and efficient detonation of explosives in various applications, such as construction, mining, and demolition.

While other devices like fuses, sparking devices, and detonator switches play roles in the detonation process, they serve different functions. Fuses initiate the blasting cap but are not the primary element that directly triggers the high explosive itself; they merely provide a means to ignite or activate the blasting cap. Sparking devices are used for initiating electric detonators and are not directly involved in detonating high explosives on their own. Detonator switches, on the other hand, are primarily used to control the operation of a detonator but do not actively perform the function of detonating high explosives without an intermediary device like a blasting cap. Therefore, the blasting cap stands out as the essential device for reliably detonating high explosives.