The current waveforms obtained by exploding various sizes of copper wires by the discharge of a large condenser bank revealed that the (V, l) plane (V=initial voltage,l= length of the wire) can be divided into various zones with each zone characterising a particular type of explosion. In particular the current pause was observed only in one zone. Below a certain initial voltage no pause in the current could be induced. The restrike length of enamel insulated wires was found to be considerably more and the pause duration considerably less than for bare wires. In this case thermally emitted electrons trapped in the insulation are considered responsible for a reduction in the pause duration and an increase in the restrike length. The increased restrike current for enamel insulated wires vis a vis bare wires may be due to the arc shunting as suggested by the current wave forms obtained from exploding coils. The energy absorbed by an exploding coil depends upon its pitch.