Abstract <p>The experimental studies of a surface discharge on the ferroelectric ceramics in an argon atmosphere are presented. The plasma source is based on BaTiO₃ ceramics and designed in a cylindrical shape. The influence of gas pressure in the range of 10^–5–10^–2 Torr on the emission spectrum of plasma and surface discharge characteristics are established. The plasma emission spectrum was received using the optical emission spectroscopy. The spectrum lines corresponded to atoms and ions of elements related to the ferroelectric (Ba, Ti, O) and residual atmosphere (Ar). The discharge characteristics were investigated by analyzing the voltage and discharge current signals.</p>