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What is a short circuit how does it happen and why is it dangerous?
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
A short circuit is when the current in a circuit flows directly from the live/phase conductor to the neutral conductor without passing through a load. This is dangerous because the amount of current in a circuit is determined by the resistance/impedance (assuming constant voltage). The resistance of the conductor is very low and this allows large amounts of current to flow which should operate the circuits protective device (fuse). In the absence of a protective device the current will cause the conuctor toheat up first producing fumes from burning insulation and eventually seting on fire.
Wiki User
∙ 15y ago
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoA short circuit is a circuit in which the connecting wires have different resistances.The electrons tend to flow from the shortest route through the wires which have the lowest resistance. Since the voltage is more than the resistance of the wire can control, the current flows very fast throgh the wires and heating the low resistance wires and eventually burning them up.
This can be explained mathematically using Ohm's Law. Ohm's Law describe the relation between electrical current, electrical potential difference(i.e. voltage), and electrical resistance, and is depicted as such:
V = I x R
where
V = electrical potential difference (volts)
I = electrical current (amperes)
R = electrical resistance (ohms)
When solving this equation for electrical current (I), we get the following
I = V/R
Since in a short circuit the resistance (R) in the circuit approches zero (0), that creates a situation where the current (I) goes to infinity for a given electrical potential difference (V). See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Divide_by_zero for more information on dividing by zero.
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What is more dangerous a short circuit or an open circuit?
Open circuit Because, if there's an open, there could be machinery still running, or voltage still present. Short shuts a cct down.
Will short circuit wasting energy?
Short circuit blowing fuse or breaker.
What happens if neutral and hot wire touch on the same pole of a light switch?
You will get a short circuit and breaker will trip. If they are tied together on the load side of the switch the short will happen when you turn the switch on.
How can short circuit damage devices?
It depends if the short are before or after the device. The short circuit will cause high amperage trough the device and then blown. (JP)
How does short circuit occur?
short circuit occurs when two wire which consist of one live and neutral wire are in contact with the main and the other end of the wire are touched each other short circuit occurs
When you will get to know that short circuit will happen?
1. That if a short circuit occurs we will get a sign before short circuit will happen or not ? 2. what we can do ? 3. how fuse can get a short circuit ? 4. which wires we have to use from preventing short circuit ?
Why are shortcircuits dangerous?
A short circuit can start a fire.
What does a short circuit happen?
when the fuse is not working
How does short cicuit happen?
when 2phases bridge together,that is short circuit
Why is a short circuit dangerous?
A short circuit will draw a lot of current and produce heat so there is great danger of damage and even fire
What happen when neutral connect to live?
short circuit
When does short circuit happen?
When a voltage is present between two points in a circuit (electrical outlet, battery, etc.) it normally flows through a load of some resistance to do some work. If instead a pure conductor (usually metal) connects the two points separated by a voltage, a short circuit results. Current through the short circuit is very high and usually results in fire or failure unless protected by a circuit breaker. In low-voltage, low-power electronics a short circuit might not be dangerous but is usually undesirable.
What is more dangerous a short circuit or an open circuit?
Open circuit Because, if there's an open, there could be machinery still running, or voltage still present. Short shuts a cct down.
What will happen to a safety device if there is short circiut?
If your reference to a safety device is a fuse, then if there is a short circuit, the circuit will be de energized by the opening of the fuse.
A dangerous circuit with low resistance and high current?
Another name for a circuit with low resistance and high current is a short circuit. It is dangerous because, if you have sufficient energy in the power source, you can damage components and/or cause fires.
Why a short circuit happen?
Presumably, the current follows a path (a circuit) to do whatever it was "made" to do. If water, for instance, enters the circuit, a shorter path may develop, and the current will (partially) take the short circuit. Or a wire could become lose and short circuit the intended path.
When do you get a short curcuit?
A short circuit occurs when electricity can pass with little resistance between two parts of a circuit where it is not intended to. Typically, it will happen when two uninsulated wires touch accidentally, or a conducting (metal) part contacts two uninsulated parts of the circuit. It could also happen if the circuit is in contact with a conducting fluid such as saltwater. A short circuit can even happen through air if voltage becomes very high, enough to create an electrical "arc", overcoming the resistance of the air. In the worst case, a short circuit connects the positive and negative terminals of a battery or voltage source almost directly, with almost no resistance, and very high current results, which is dangerous. In other cases, the short circuit might not create any danger, because the path of electricity encounters resistance in another part of the circuit. However, the voltage difference across the short will be zero, and the voltage difference across the intended path between the endpoints of the short will also be zero. All the current will flow through the short, and none through the intended path. As a result that part of the circuit probably will not work.
