Electric arc

Description

An electrical discharge resulting in a current flow through a normally nonconductive media such as air. An eletric arc between two conductive electrodes produces high temperatures and bright light. Electric arcs are used for arc brazing, arc welding, and arc lamps. Low pressure electric arc lamps are used for fluorescent tubes, mercury and sodium street lamps, camera flash lamps, plasma displays, and neon signs.

Synonyms and Related Terms

electrical arc; electric arcs; electric-arc (Br.); voltaic arc (archaic)

Authority

• Art and Architecture Thesaurus Online, http://www.getty.edu/research/tools/vocabulary/aat/, J. Paul Getty Trust, Los Angeles, 2000