A discharge capacitor for use in electronic circuits is described. The discharge capacitor has first internal electrodes in electrical contact with a first external termination and second internal electrodes parallel to and interleaved with the first internal electrodes wherein the second internal electrodes are in electrical contact with a second external termination. A dielectric is between the first internal electrodes and adjacent second internal electrodes. A first discharge gap is between at least one first internal electrode of said first internal electrodes and said second external termination.