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

In general when the above-described plan of conversion from high to low tension is used, the behavior of the disruptive discharge may be closely studied.

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

But the lion and the lamb are not more different than are the disruptive discharge while passing through a non-conductor and the same current passing through a good conductor.

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

But the effects which are produced by currents which rise instantly to high values, as in a disruptive discharge, are entirely different from those produced by dynamo currents which rise and fall harmonically.

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

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

Such a coil with adjustable primary and secondary will be found also convenient in experiments with the disruptive discharge.

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