breakdown voltage


breakdown voltage

[′brāk‚dau̇n ‚vȯl·tij] (electricity) The voltage measured at a specified current in the electrical breakdown region of a semiconductor diode. Also known as Zener voltage. The voltage at which an electrical breakdown occurs in a dielectric. The voltage at which an electrical breakdown occurs in a gas. Also known as breakdown potential; sparking potential; sparking voltage.

breakdown voltage

The voltage at which an electrical insulation ruptures, thereby destroying its insulating value and permitting current flow.