short circuit

observer20

what is short circuit and wat happens to different circuits when it occurs.wat operates it .

carlz

To the best of my knowledge, a short circuit occurs when there is very little or no resistance across a circuit resulting in a very large current generated.

Correct me if i am inaccurate.

ranger

You are perfectly correct.

Well more current will flow in the circuit than needed. This may result in a fire because a wire can only handle a cirtain amount of current. As more current flows, the wire becomes hotter and then this could lead to a fire. This is why we have fuses and circuit breakers.

Averagesupernova

A short circuit generally means that current is going somewhere it is not supposed to go. Excessivelyl high current is NOT a requirement in a short circuit condition. The word "SHORT" litterally means that the current is taking the 'short way around the circuit' instead of the intended way.

NewScientist

I agree thus far to more as less what has been said. The common meaning for a short circuit is when the anode and cathode of a cell or battery are connected, meaning that there is only the impedance of the wires and Internal resistance of the battery between them. This tends to result in the overloading a cicuit with current often 10^2 (or greater) times more current than normal which leads to heat build up, and then sparks and all sorts of mayhem. Oh and it can seriously screw with your equipment!

observateur20

ok its a larger current current. but how is this larger current produced?

sparkey

short circuit current depends on a few main factors, but not entirely on, the voltage present, the amount of load on the circuit, the power available.

the Bussman Fuse company has a good PDF that runs through short circuit calculations. whether or not you understand the math fully, you can get an idea of what your dealing with with results reaching 10s of thousands and even 100Ks. enjoy

http://www.bussmann.com/library/indc...20currents.pdf

berkeman

You came back after 5 years to resurrect your old thread, and changed your user name slightly? Or is something else going on here?