Electrical breakdown

{
  "id": "MLC-T-MET-005310",
  "term": "Electrical breakdown",
  "field": "Meteorology and atmospheric science",
  "definition": "The sudden reduction in the electrical resistance of an insulating material, such as air, allowing a large current to flow through it. This occurs when the electric field strength across the insulator exceeds its dielectric strength, ionizing the material. In the atmosphere, electrical breakdown of air is the physical process that initiates a lightning discharge.",
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/meteorology/electrical-breakdown/"
}