I have always related arcing to having end-points: having at least two electrodes and involving electrical conduction.
Arc \Arc\ ([aum]rk), v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Arcked} ([aum]rkt); p. pr. & vb. n. {Arcking}.] (Elec.) To form a voltaic arc, as an electrical current in a broken or disconnected circuit. Sparking, I have always related to high temperature ejecta which may or may not be related to electrical conduction. Spark \Spark\, v. i. (Elec.) To produce, or give off, sparks, as a dynamo at the commutator when revolving under the collecting brushes. Spark \Spark\, n. [OE. sparke, AS. spearca; akin to D. spark, sperk; cf. Icel. spraka to crackle, Lith. sprag["e]ti, Gr. ? a bursting with a noise, Skr. sph?rj to crackle, to thunder. Cf. {Speak}.] 1. A small particle of fire or ignited substance which is emitted by a body in combustion. Regards, Peter L. Tarver, PE Product Safety Manager Homologation Services Sanmina-SCI Corp. San Jose, CA peter.tar...@sanmina-sci.com > From: Fred Townsend > Sent: Monday, September 22, 2003 9:09 AM > > I have never seen a really definitive statement > about arcs and sparks however I > tend to think of sparks as transient ( as in > spark plugs) and arcs as sustained > (as in arc lamps). Does that make sense? > > Fred Townsend > > "Speakman, Jim" wrote: > > > 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'. > > 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