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Electrical :
- The discharge of electric current across a gap between two electrodes, often through a gaseous medium or air. This can produce a visible plasma or spark.
- In welding, it specifically refers to the high-temperature electric discharge through the air or gas between the welding electrode and the workpiece, used to generate the heat necessary for welding.
- An unintended electrical discharge (often in the form of a visible spark) that occurs between two points due to a breakdown in the insulation or due to a fault. For example, a worn spark plug wire could cause an arc if it comes into contact with a metal surface or another wire, leading to a spark that can potentially cause electrical issues or even ignite flammable materials in certain conditions. It’s a form of electrical fault that needs to be addressed to prevent damage or hazards.
Abbreviations:
ARC
- Abbreviation for Aeronautical Research Council in the UK.
- Abbreviation for Ames Research Center in the USA
- Abbreviation for Automatic Ride Control
See Related Terms:
- arc welding
- Carbon Arc
- Shielded arc
- Short arc
- Spray arc
- Track arc