dielectric strength: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical
Quick answer
What does “dielectric strength” mean?
The maximum electric field a material can withstand without breaking down and becoming conductive.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The maximum electric field a material can withstand without breaking down and becoming conductive.
A quantifiable property of an insulating material, measured in volts per unit thickness (e.g., kV/mm), representing its resistance to electrical failure.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling and terminology are identical. Pronunciation differs slightly.
Connotations
Purely technical with no regional connotative differences.
Frequency
Used with equal and exclusive frequency in technical contexts in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “dielectric strength” in a Sentence
The dielectric strength of [MATERIAL] is [VALUE].[MATERIAL] has a dielectric strength of [VALUE].To test/increase/measure the dielectric strength.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “dielectric strength” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Engineers must ensure the coating can dielectricly withstand the peak voltage.
American English
- The material failed to dielectricly hold under stress.
adjective
British English
- The dielectric-strength properties were catalogued.
American English
- They ran a dielectric-strength analysis.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in procurement and specification sheets for electrical components and insulating materials.
Academic
Central to papers and textbooks in electrical engineering, physics, and materials science.
Everyday
Virtually never used outside technical professions.
Technical
The primary context; used in design, safety standards, datasheets, and failure analysis.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “dielectric strength”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “dielectric strength”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “dielectric strength”
- Using 'dielectric strength' to describe mechanical toughness (confusion with 'tensile strength').
- Saying 'strong dielectric' instead of 'high dielectric strength'.
- Treating it as a verb, e.g., 'This material dielectrically strengths well'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Dielectric strength is about the maximum voltage before catastrophic failure (breakdown). Insulation resistance is about the continuous, low-level leakage current through an insulator under a steady voltage.
Typically Volts per metre (V/m), kilovolts per millimetre (kV/mm), or Volts per mil (V/mil) in older US engineering contexts.
Yes. Air is a dielectric, and its strength is approximately 3 kV/mm under standard conditions. This is why high-voltage lines have large air gaps.
It determines the safety, reliability, and miniaturisation potential of all electrical and electronic equipment, from household wiring to microchips.
The maximum electric field a material can withstand without breaking down and becoming conductive.
Dielectric strength is usually technical in register.
Dielectric strength: in British English it is pronounced /ˌdaɪ.ɪˈlɛk.trɪk strɛŋkθ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌdaɪ.ɪˈlɛk.trɪk strɛŋkθ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'DIE'-electric: the 'strength' before it DIES (breaks down) and lets electricity through.
Conceptual Metaphor
A DAM holding back water (electricity). Dielectric strength is the height of the dam before it bursts.
Practice
Quiz
What does 'dielectric strength' specifically measure?