Short Circuit Faults

Short Circuits

If two points in a circuit are connected by some component or conductor having a resistance of zero (or practically zero) ohms the two points are said to be SHORT CIRCUITED or that there is a short circuit present. Under these conditions a larger current will flow, due to the reduction in resistance, and there will be NO (or almost no) POTENTIAL DIFFERENCE between the ends of the short circuit.

These conditions are illustrated below.

Short Circuit Examples.

Choose a faulty circuit to see the effects of a short circuit.

Normal Circuit Fault 1 Fault 2

The opposite extreme fault condition to having an short circuit is having a component or components go "Open Circuit", which is dealt with here.