Ion cannons fired particles that seriously interfered with the operation of electronics and computer systems, shorting circuits and often disabling them outright, in much the same manner as an electromagnetic pulse. The actual physical damage would sometimes result in fused joints on machines, due to the heat produced. Ion cannons can also be used to either slow down malfunctioning door shutters or otherwise disable shield generators, as evidenced by the Fondor shipyard assault and the Battle of Dubrillion, respectively.