In order to explore optimal plate spacing, based on the principle analysis of passive electromagnetic armor system, and combined with the mathematical model of the time of pulse current acting on shaped charge jet is established based on the virtual origin concept, the effect which the armor plate spacing had on the shaped charge jet acting time is analyzed. Combined with the specific action model, the numerical value of specific action variation rules along with passive electromagnetic armor plate spacing are analyzed by Matlab. The results show that: there is a most optimal choice of armor plate spacing, which could make the peak value of shaped charge jet specific action reach to the maximum.