Jim, this should be interesting. I define an "arc" as a plasma discharge. The charge flow is through ionized gas. Now when I think of a "spark" I think of hot metal bits. An example is when you "spark" jumper cables. Hot bits of metal are flying off.
Dave Cuthbert Micron Technology From: Speakman, Jim [mailto:jim.speak...@uk.thalesgroup.com] Sent: Monday, September 22, 2003 9:32 AM To: emc-p...@majordomo.ieee.org Subject: Arcing & Sparking Fellow Listers At a recent equipment design review, a discussion on arcing and sparking indicated a lack of definitive knowledge of the difference between an 'arc' and a 'spark'. Is an 'arc', basically just a long 'spark'. If so, at what point (precisely) does a 'spark' become an 'arc'? Have I got it all wrong? Are they 'something else'. Can anyone enlighten my darkness? __________________________ Jim Speakman (Design Safety Representative (Southern Sites) Thales Defence Ltd Thales Sensors Manor Royal Crawley West Sussex RH10 9PZ > * Tel: +44(0)1293 644911 > * Mob: +44(0)7968 529439 > * Fax : +44(0)1293 644194 > * e-mail jim.speak...@uk.thalesgroup.com > __________________________ This e-mail contains confidential information for the addressee only. If a transmission error has misdirected this e-mail, please notify us on +44(0)1293 644911 and delete it and all copies from your system. You should not use, disclose, distribute or copy this communication if received in error. This message is from the IEEE EMC Society Product Safety Technical Committee emc-pstc discussion list. Visit our web site at: http://www.ewh.ieee.org/soc/emcs/pstc/ To cancel your subscription, send mail to: majord...@ieee.org with the single line: unsubscribe emc-pstc For help, send mail to the list administrators: Ron Pickard: emc-p...@hypercom.com Dave Heald: emc_p...@symbol.com For policy questions, send mail to: Richard Nute: ri...@ieee.org Jim Bacher: j.bac...@ieee.org Archive is being moved, we will announce when it is back on-line. All emc-pstc postings are archived and searchable on the web at: http://www.ieeecommunities.org/emc-pstc This message is from the IEEE EMC Society Product Safety Technical Committee emc-pstc discussion list. Visit our web site at: http://www.ewh.ieee.org/soc/emcs/pstc/ To cancel your subscription, send mail to: majord...@ieee.org with the single line: unsubscribe emc-pstc For help, send mail to the list administrators: Ron Pickard: emc-p...@hypercom.com Dave Heald: emc_p...@symbol.com For policy questions, send mail to: Richard Nute: ri...@ieee.org Jim Bacher: j.bac...@ieee.org Archive is being moved, we will announce when it is back on-line. All emc-pstc postings are archived and searchable on the web at: http://www.ieeecommunities.org/emc-pstc