DIELECTRIC BREAKDOWN:

when a dielectric loses its insulation resistance and permits large currents to pass through it, it is said to breakdown.

In practical applications, the failure or breakdown of a dielectric material is of great concern to the engineer. There are many cases for dielectric breakdown. Important types of dielectric breakdowns are:

a. Intrinsic Breakdown

b. Thermal Breakdown

c. Electrochemical Breakdown

d. Discharge Breakdown and

e. Defect Breakdown