Losing connection to the server during a fight does not count as a PvP death.
If you do not return though, it could be viewed as intentional, thus breaking 1.2. Coming back as soon as possible and participating in the fight (rather than using the disorientation to escape when your opponents wish to continue the engagement) usually clarifies that this is not the case.
It's good practice to post in the Disconnected thread if you return immediately, but definitely do so if you cannot.
It is considered common practice and polite to ask those in the fight if you can return (and I don't remember anyone actually saying no) but this is not a requirement. Just because another player says you cannot do something does not mean this is the case.
As for an inRP way of talking about it, 'ion clouds/storm/wave' etc. are all good, or simply electrical faults and you are now 'powering up systems to rejoin the fight'.