Operates at intervals, not continuous.
stopping and starting at irregular intervals; "intermittent rain showers"
stopping and starting at regular intervals
A fault occurring at random intervals of time. Intermittent problems are often difficult to locate because of the random nature. They often don't occur when the technician is present.
Occurring at intervals that are alternating, recurrent, or periodic.
Opposite of continuous, i.e. something that occurs/happens at regular or irregular intervals.
Intermittent duty is a requirement of service that demands operation for alternate intervals of (1) load and no load; or (2) load and rest; or (3) load, no load and rest.