Dielectric Strength

Dielectric Strength is a critical property for any material with a primary function as an electrical insulator. In simple terms, dielectric strength is the ability of an insulating material to withstand applied electrical stress. It is defined as “the maximum electric field strength that a material can withstand intrinsically without breaking down; i.e. without experiencing failure of its insulating properties.”

It is important to consider the mode of failure when determining a material’s characteristics. A failure through the insulation thickness is called a puncture failure. If the thickness of the insulation is sufficiently great, failure can occur across the surface of the insulation. This is called creepage failure….