Breakdown voltage

Breakdown voltage describes an electrical voltage with the following meanings:

• Generally exceeding the dielectric breakdown voltage; In the case of gas discharge tubes in particular, the voltage at which the neutral gas suddenly becomes conductive; see dielectric strength .
• In the case of semiconductor components, the breakdown voltage is the reverse voltage of a certain magnitude; if it is exceeded, the reverse current increases sharply, see diode # breakdown .

This is a disambiguation page for differentiating between several terms identified with the same word.