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You would have infinite amperes if there was no resistance in the battery plates, the battery terminal posts and in the wires that are shorting the battery.

But there is always resistance in those things so - depending on the thickness and therefore the effective resistance of the wires that are shorting the battery - the short circuit current will be from a few amps to many hundreds of amps and, unless someone sees it and acts quickly to remove the cause of the short, that current will continue until the battery either explodes or just runs down very fast.

I've seen them go both ways, along with the shorting wires smoking and then glowing like an electric fire, and also I have seen molten globs of hot metal dripping off from carelessly misplaced tools such as heavy screwdrivers, particularly if made of aluminum, and such things as small wrenches.

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Is short to voltage the same as short to ground?

No, short to voltage and short to ground are not the same. A short to voltage occurs when a component is connected directly to a voltage source, bypassing the normal circuit path, which can lead to excessive current flow and potential damage. In contrast, a short to ground happens when a circuit connects directly to the ground reference point, potentially causing a fault condition that can also lead to damage. Both scenarios can be hazardous, but they affect circuits differently.


What cause the voltage t lead current in an ac circuit?

Voltage leads current or, more specifically current lags voltage, in an inductive circuit. This is because an inductor resists a change in current.


What happens when you increase the size of the current?

When you increase the size of the current in an electrical circuit, the amount of charge flowing through the circuit per unit time increases, which can lead to a higher power output, as power is proportional to the product of current and voltage (P = IV). However, this can also result in increased heat generation due to higher resistance, potentially leading to overheating and damage to components. Additionally, if the circuit's components are not rated for the increased current, it may lead to failure or even short circuits.


What is the flaw in a circuit which allows a large current to flow through where it is not wanted?

The flaw in a circuit that allows a large current to flow where it is not wanted is typically a short circuit or insulation failure. This can occur due to damaged wires, faulty components, or improper connections, creating a low-resistance path for current. Such conditions can lead to overheating, equipment damage, or even fire hazards. Proper circuit design and protective devices, like fuses or circuit breakers, are essential to prevent this issue.


Why capacitor behave as open circuit against alternating current?

Capacitors store electrical charge. Imagine we have a capacitor. At time 0 seconds we connect a DC voltage across the capacitor - immediately as the voltage is connected the capacitor is at 0 volts and the maximum current (relative to the circuit resistance) flows. At this extreme the capacitor can be treated as a short circuit, so for high frequency AC volts we should treat a capacitor as being a short circuit. As time passes the current in the circuit will go down and the voltage of the capacitor will go up - this is because as the capacitor gains more charge it gains more voltage, lowering the voltage across any resistance in the circuit consequently lowering the current in the circuit. When the capacitor is virtually full no current will flow at all and the voltage across the capacitor will equal the DC source voltage. At this extreme the capacitor can be treated as an open circuit, so for low frequency AC (allowing the capacitor to fill up before the current alternates) we can treat the capacitor as being an open circuit. Technically, it is not an open/closed circuit when it comes to AC because the capacitance will results in a signal lag or lead. However, if the frequency is low/high enough the lag/lead is often negligable.

Related Questions

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.


How does a short circuit work and what are its potential consequences?

A short circuit occurs when an electrical current takes an unintended path due to a direct connection between two points in a circuit with low resistance. This can lead to excessive current flow, overheating, and potentially cause fires or damage to electrical components.


Is a short circuit the easiest path for electricity to follow?

Yes, a short circuit provides the easiest path for electricity to flow because it bypasses the normal load and creates a low-resistance path between the two points. This can lead to high current flow and potential damage to the circuit or equipment.


How can short circuit damage devices?

A short circuit can damage devices by allowing an excessive current to flow through the circuit, which can generate heat and potentially cause components to overheat or burn out. This can lead to damage to the device's components or even start a fire.


Do car batteries short out?

Yes, sometimes the lead plates will develop a short between themselves.


Will the source voltage lead or lag the current in a circuit?

In an AC circuit, the source voltage can either lead or lag the current, depending on the type of load. Inductive loads cause the voltage to lag the current, while capacitive loads cause the voltage to lead the current.


Why are batteries dangerous?

Not all types of batteries are dangerous. Alkaline batteries may explode if they have their poles inversely connected. Batteries used in vehicles contain lead and sulphuric acid that may be dangerous if inappropriately handled.


What does short to power mean?

"Short to power" is a term used in electronics to describe a circuit malfunction where an electrical short circuit causes excess current flow to the power supply, potentially damaging components. This can lead to overheating, fires, or other safety hazards. Proper circuit design and precautions such as using fuses can help prevent short to power situations.


How does changing the voltage in a circuit affect the current in the circuit?

Changing the voltage in a circuit will alter the current flowing through it. According to Ohm's Law, the current is directly proportional to the voltage in the circuit. Increasing the voltage will lead to an increase in current, and vice versa.


Do they make lithium ion batteries for wheelchairs?

yes they do, they are standard on most current models because they are smaller and last longer than lead-acid batteries, not to mention lead-acid batteries are dangerous if tampered with.


What are the circuit effects due to a short circuit or open circuit?

It would depend on the circuit diagram. In some cases, the circuit would be incomplete (simplest case is a battery with a wire attached to just one terminal).Parallel branches that have a connection to the battery without going through other branches are independent of each other. Say you have two parallel branches and a battery. If you short circuit one of the branches, the other branch will not be affected but the battery will be (current through the battery would decrease because taking out a parallel branch increases resistance).In short, it would depend on the circuit diagram. Note that for a nanosecond, there would be current in an open circuit, but after this brief time there would be no current flow in the segment of the circuit that has been shorted.


What circuit exists when a conductor of conductive material of low resistance connects across the conductors in a circuit somewhere between the source and the load?

A short circuit occurs when a conductor of low resistance connects across the conductors in a circuit. This creates a path of minimal resistance, bypassing the intended load, which can lead to excessive current flow and damage to the circuit components. It is important to identify and rectify short circuits to ensure the safe operation of the circuit.