When the voltage between the two electrodes is raised, the intensity of the electric field in the volume between the electrodes becomes greater than the strength of the dielectric (at least in some areas), which breaks down, allowing current to flow between the two electrodes. As a result, metal is removed from the electrodes. Once the current stops, new liquid dielectric is usually conveyed into the inter-electrode volume, enabling the solid particle debris to be carried away and the insulating properties of the dielectric can be restored. Adding new liquid dielectric in the inter-electrode volume is commonly referred to as “flushing.” Also, after a current flow, the difference of potential between the electrodes is restored to what it was before the breakdown, so that a new liquid dielectric breakdown can occur.
