electric arc

American  

noun

1. arc.

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electric arc Scientific  

1. An electric current, often strong, brief, and luminous, in which electrons jump across a gap. Electric arcs across specially designed electrodes can produce very high heats and bright light, and are used for such purposes as welding and illumination in spotlights. Unwanted arcs in electrical circuits can cause fires. Lightning is a case of an electric arc between one cloud and the earth or another cloud, as are sparks caused by discharges of static electricity.

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Etymology

Origin of electric arc

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

electric arc

Tata Steel is working with the National Grid to upgrade electrical infrastructure and support the new electric arc furnace.

From BBC ● Jun. 7, 2026

The loss was driven by the tariff costs and lower shipments of steel, as well as the company’s accelerated transition toward making its steel using electric arc furnaces, Algoma said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 11, 2026

Chief Executive Rajat Marwah said the company is encouraged by the early performance of its first electric arc furnace, which he said is operating continuously and meeting product quality specifications.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 11, 2026

Switching from traditional blast furnaces to electric arc furnaces can lower carbon emissions per tonne of steel produced from 2.32 tonnes of CO2 to 0.67 tonnes of CO2.

From BBC ● Sep. 4, 2025

Consequently we should be inclined to expect from theory that the electric arc would not be a good light for a lighthouse, since it would lack penetrating power in foggy weather.

From Marvels of Scientific Invention An Interesting Account in Non-technical Language of the Invention of Guns, Torpedoes, Submarine Mines, Up-to-date Smelting, Freezing, Colour Photography, and many other recent Discoveries of Science by Thomas W. Corbin