When an electric circuit is made or broken using a mechanical switch, the electricity jumps the gap between the switch contacts when the contacts are almost touching. The resulting arc gradually wears out the contacts. (>>> low velocity) The faster the contacts are physically separated the shorter the duration of the arc and the less the damage. The higher the voltage and the higher the humidity, the greater the distance through air the electricity can jump. Breaking a circuit under load produces a larger arc than turning the current on.
The arc can generate minute electromagnetic radiation that travels through the air and can cause interference to radio, etc. reception and communication. The one you saw won't cause damage to nearby electronic equipment or electronic equipment plugged into the same branch circuit.
The arc can generate minute electromagnetic radiation that travels through the air and can cause interference to radio, etc. reception and communication. The one you saw won't cause damage to nearby electronic equipment or electronic equipment plugged into the same branch circuit.
