flashover

Noun

1. The near simultaneous ignition of all combustible material in an enclosed area.
   • The blaze turned into what Swiss officials called an embrasement généralisé, a term for a fire that releases combustible gases that can ignite violently, triggering what English-speaking firefighters call a flashover or...
2. An unintended electric discharge or arc over or around an insulator.
   • The overhead line was energised at 25,000 volts and the height of the contact wire was reduced to 11 in. above the chimney, then to 5 and finally to 2 in.; at this last, short distance the flashover occurred, but all...

   Synonyms: sparkover