Short circuit

Short circuit is an electrical fault in which a conductive path connects two or more conductive parts and forces their voltage difference to zero or near zero. IEC Electropedia defines a short-circuit as an accidental or intentional conductive path between conductive parts that forces the electric potential differences between them to be equal or close to zero, and defines short-circuit current as overcurrent resulting from a short circuit due to a fault or incorrect connection. A short circuit is different from an overload, earth fault or residual current, and the term alone does not identify the faulty item, prove that protection is correctly rated or show that extra equipment can be connected safely.