What does "electrical breakdown" mean?

Condition when an electrical insulator suddenly becomes conductive when the applied electric field exceeds the dielectric strength of the insulator.

What is a synonym for "electrical breakdown"?

Common synonyms include: dielectric breakdown.

noun

noun ·Rare ·Advanced level

Noun

1
Condition when an electrical insulator suddenly becomes conductive when the applied electric field exceeds the dielectric strength of the insulator. uncountable