  We consider the wave equation on non-compact star graphs, subject to a
distributional damping defined through a Robin-type vertex condition with
complex coupling. It is shown that the non-self-adjoint generator of the
evolution problem admits an abrupt change in its spectral properties for a
special coupling related to the number of graph edges. As an application, we
show that the evolution problem is highly unstable for the critical couplings.
The relationship with the Dirac equation in non-relativistic quantum mechanics
is also mentioned.
