disruptive discharge

American  

noun

Electricity.

1. the sudden, large increase in current through an insulating medium resulting from complete failure of the medium under electrostatic stress.

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disruptive discharge British  

noun

1. a sudden large increase in current through an insulating medium resulting from failure of the medium to withstand an applied electric field

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

disruptive discharge

What I have had to say regarding disruptive discharge has extended to some length, but I hope will be excused in consequence of the importance of the subject.

From Experimental Researches in Electricity, Volume 1 by Faraday, Michael

Yet the rod on the spire of Somerset Street Church, nearby and eastward of the State-House, but lower, has been seen to receive a disruptive discharge.

From Lippincott's Magazine, Vol. 26, August, 1880 of Popular Literature and Science by Various

With disruptive discharge coils there are sudden rises of potential and the vacua are more quickly impaired, for the electrodes are deteriorated in a very short time.

From The inventions, researches and writings of Nikola Tesla With special reference to his work in polyphase currents and high potential lighting by Martin, Thomas Commerford

An electrode lasts much longer when kept at incandescence by currents, or impulses, obtained from a high-frequency alternator, which rise and fall more or less harmonically, than by impulses obtained from a disruptive discharge coil.

From Experiments with Alternate Currents of High Potential and High Frequency by Tesla, Nikola

Single disruptive discharge of great intensity, at Greensboro, N.C.

From The Boy with the U. S. Weather Men by Rolt-Wheeler, Francis