Is a short circuit dangerous

Answer 1

A short circuit is simply a circuit in which the resistance is substantially low. This means that the current of electrons flows far too fast and overheats. This can also form electric arcs (electrons jumping from one point to another). Three common results of short circuits can be: overheating (causing fires), overheating (causing explosions), and electric arcs (causing electric shock).

Answer 2

A short circuit (sometimes abbreviated to short or s/c) in an electrical circuit that allows a current to travel along an unintended path, often where essentially no (or a very low) electrical impedance is encountered. The electrical opposite of a short circuit is an "open circuit", which is an infinite resistance between two nodes. It is common to misuse "short circuit" to describe any electrical malfunction, regardless of the actual problem.

Answer 3

Yes, a short circuit, or short, is dangerous. A short circuit is a path of much lower (or almost zero) resistance in a circuit. When a short happens, excessive current flows, and (hopefully) a fuse or circuit breaker opens. The problem is that usually a short is the result of a failure of some sort in a piece of equipment. If insulation fails or if something like a semiconductor or other device shorts, lots of current flows in the circuit. But the excessive current can cause arcing, which can start a fire. Equipment is designed to resist the effects of a short by incorporating safety features (fuses, current limiters or the like) or relying on the circuit protection devices in the supply (circuit breakers, disconnects or similar) to open and check the excessive current flow. It's all about what happens in the window between the instant that the short develops and the moment that the protection device opens the circuit. In general, all electrical equipment and appliances are engineered to minimize damage from a short circuit in them. The true goal is to allow them to "fail safely" so that if something does go wrong (as it may eventually), the equipment or appliance can "protect itself" and prevent a disaster (a fire). Yes, the loss of the equipment (because it will have to be repaired or replaced) is an inconvenience. But that probability pales in comparison to what can happen in some sort of fire that attacks a house or other structure because it was set by the shorted apparatus. Significant property damage can result, and even death, if electrical equipment shorts and ignites a fire. Manufacturers need to make money to stay in business, as you know, but they make every effort to develop and market a safe product. They have no interest in liability claims, and will, in general, do all they can to avoid those kinds of incidents. Government regulations, backstopped by the sharp knives wielded by product liability attorneys keep the manufacturers honest in all but the very rarest cases. We (manufacturers, suppliers and society) have come a long way to make the relatively inexpensive electrical products we use every day quite safe, and we're pretty good about not backsliding.

Answer 4

A short circuit in an electrical circuit allows a current along a different path from the one intended. Short circuits can because if one of the conductors are hot or smoking then you can become severely burned. and that is why they are dangerous

Answer 5

A short circuit occurs when two electrical wires of different voltages touch. This causes excessive current flow. If this is wiring in a building, these wires will heat up and could cause a fire. In higher voltage equipment (such as high voltage transmission lines), a short circuit of a phase to ground will cause ground voltage rise, which can increase step (the voltage between your feet) and touch potential (the voltage between your feet and hand) to lethal levels.

Answer 6

Short circuits are very dangerous because it can zap u and you can die!!??(not good)

Answer 7

A dead short can draw excessive current and cause overheating of the conductors, an arc flash or even fire.

Answer 8

A short circuit can cause electrial wire to overheat, and catch on fire. if you are working with batteries the batteries will explode.

Answer 9

Short Circuit can be dangerous do to the fact that they can start fires.