Static Electricity 2000 Edition

3.1.3 Breakdown Strength.
The minimum voltage, measured
in volts per meter of thickness, necessary to cause a spark
through a solid material that is held between electrodes that
produce a uniform electric field under specified test conditions.
3.1.4 Breakdown Voltage.
The minimum voltage, measured
in volts, necessary to cause a spark through a gas mixture
between electrodes that produce a uniform electric field
under specified test conditions.
3.1.5
* Capacitance. The amount of charge, measured in cou-
lombs, that must be stored on a specified body or material to
raise the potential difference by 1 volt. Capacitance is measured
in coulombs per volt or farads.
3.1.6 Combustible.
Capable of burning.
3.1.7 Combustible Dust.
Any finely divided solid material,
420 micrometers (microns, 
µm) or less in diameter (i.e., mate-
rial that will pass through a U.S. No. 40 standard sieve), that
presents a fire or explosion hazard when dispersed and
ignited in air or other gaseous oxidizer.
3.1.8 Conductive.
The ability to allow the flow of an electric
charge; possessing a conductivity greater than 10
4
pS/m or a
resistivity less than 10
8 
Ω-m.
3.1.9 Conductor.
A material or object that allows an electric
charge to flow easily through it.
3.1.10 Grounding.
The process of bonding one or more con-
ductive objects to the ground, so that all objects are at zero (0)
electrical potential; also referred to as “earthing.”
3.1.11 Ignitible Mixture.
A gas–air, vapor–air, mist–air, or
dust–air mixture, or combinations of such mixtures, that can
be ignited by a sufficiently strong source of energy, such as a
static electric discharge.
3.1.12 Inert Gas.
A nonflammable, nonreactive gas that ren-
ders the combustible material in a system incapable of sup-
porting combustion.