breakdown voltage [`brāk´dau̇n ´vȯl·tij] ELECTRICITY 1. The voltage measured at a specified current in the electrical breakdown region of a semiconductor diode. Also known as Zener voltage. 2. The voltage at which an electrical breakdown occurs in a dielectric. 3. The voltage at which an electrical breakdown occurs in a gas. Also known as breakdown potential; sparking potential; sparking voltage. |