Breakdown voltages of a capacitively coupled radio frequency nitrogen discharge at 13.56 MHz are measured using an insulated electrode system made from glass-covered aluminum disk plates. The breakdown voltages measured against the gas pressure exhibit typical V-shaped characteristics without peculiar sharp bend in the left branch of the minimum of the curve appearing in a low pressure region when metal electrodes are employed. The observed results are compared with the theoretical calculation based on the electron diffusion and mobility-controlled model, and a satisfactory agreement is found except for the precise prediction of the location of the minimum point. ©1997 American Institute of Physics.