electrical arc

https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.E01918
A self-sustaining electrical discharge between at least two electrodes, characterized by a comparatively small
cathode
fall voltage, a low burning voltage and a relatively high
current density
. The burning voltage of an arc is the voltage across the electrode gap during an arc discharge.
Source:
Orange Book, 2nd ed., p. 123 [Terms] [Book]