Drilling tool for use in machining a conductive work piece

A drilling tool for use in machining a conductive work piece, said drilling tool comprising:

• an electrode assembly comprising:
• a forward electrode comprising an outer radial portion and an inner radial portion, said outer radial portion comprising a forward face, and said inner radial portion extending from said forward face of said outer radial portion;
• a dielectric sheath that extends circumferentially about a portion of said forward electrode;
• and
• at least one side electrode coupled to said dielectric sheath;
• and
• a protective cap positioned at least partially over said electrode assembly, said protective cap comprising a first opening and a second opening defined therein such that said inner radial portion of said forward electrode and said at least one side electrode are at least partially exposed, wherein at least a portion of said protective cap extends beyond said forward face of said outer radial portion, wherein said protective cap comprises a forward wall and a side wall that at least partially extend over a wear region generally defined between the forward electrode and the at least one side electrode, and wherein said first opening is defined in said forward wall and said second opening is defined in said side wall.