Abstract: The present invention encompasses a high voltage switch utilizing first and second terminal electrodes and an intermediate electrode disposed therebetween. A high voltage pulse, applied to the intermediate electrode, initiates sequential overvoltaging of the region between one of the terminal electrodes and the intermediate electrode and, then between the intermediate electrode and the other electrode; thereby permitting electrical current to flow between the terminal electrodes. The geometry of the electrodes is chosen so as to yield a field enhancement factor between each region which is sufficiently low to permit highly reliable, predictable, and controllable sequential electrical breakdown.