Electrical discharges in liquids under direct voltage

In a non-uniform electrical field local discharges may occur at positions of high radius of curvature of the electrode surface without a full electrical breakdown resulting. Typically, as the direct field is raised progressively from a low value a situation may arise in which such small localized discharges can be recorded. The recording of a discharge may involve use of the shadow optical technique, or the discharge may be recorded as a current pulse through a resistor in series with the electrode system