Current and electric field measurements have been made near the magnetic neutral line in a double inverse pinch device. The current in the central region did not show any observable Petschek‐type shock structure, but instead had the appearance of a simple current sheet. A disruption of the induced current system, called the impulsive flux transfer event, was observed. Measurements of the electric field in the central region showed that the space‐charge field, −∇&fgr;, was significant, especially during the current buildup and disruption. When measurements of the total electric field,E=−A˙−∇&fgr;, were combined with current density measurements, the conductivity of the plasma in the central region remained sensibly constant throughout the current disruption.