What type of breakdown can ESD cause?

Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) can lead to electrical breakdown, which is characterized by the failure of an insulating material when subjected to a high voltage or an excess of electronic charge. During ESD events, the rapid discharge of static electricity can cause momentary but intense electrical stress on conductive and non-conductive components. This can result in the destabilization of electronic circuits and semiconductor devices, often leading to lasting damage or failure.

While thermal aspects can play a role in some breakdown cases related to electronic components, ESD is fundamentally linked to electrical breakdown mechanisms where the high voltage from discharge disrupts the normal function of electrical devices. Understanding ESD is crucial in aviation and electronics as it helps in implementing effective mitigation strategies, thereby ensuring the reliability and safety of avionics systems.