Enter the breakdown voltage, electric field, and distance into the calculator to determine the missing variable.

Breakdown Voltage Calculator

Basic
Paschen’s Law

Enter any 2 values to calculate the missing variable

Breakdown Voltage Formula

The following formula is used to calculate the breakdown voltage for a given electric field and distance.

V = E \cdot d

Variables:

  • V is the breakdown voltage
  • E is the electric field in volts per meter (V/m)
  • d is the distance in meters (m)

To calculate the breakdown voltage, multiply the electric field by the distance.

What is Breakdown Voltage?

Breakdown voltage is the minimum voltage that causes a portion of an insulator to become electrically conductive. This phenomenon occurs when the electric field in the insulator becomes strong enough to cause a significant number of charge carriers to be generated, leading to a sudden increase in current. Breakdown voltage is a critical parameter in the design of electrical and electronic systems, as exceeding this voltage can lead to equipment failure or damage.

How to Calculate Breakdown Voltage?

The following steps outline how to calculate the Breakdown Voltage.


  1. First, determine the electric field (E) in volts per meter (V/m).
  2. Next, determine the distance (d) in meters (m).
  3. Finally, calculate the breakdown voltage using the formula V = E * d.
  4. After inserting the values and calculating the result, check your answer with the calculator above.

Example Problem : 

Use the following variables as an example problem to test your knowledge.

Electric Field (E) = 1000 V/m

Distance (d) = 0.01 m