A
short circuit (sometimes abbreviated to
short or
s/c) is an
electrical circuit that allows a
current to travel along an unintended path with no or a very low
electrical impedance. This results in an excessive amount of current flowing into the circuit.
Example:
A common type of short circuit occurs when the positive and negative terminals of a
battery are connected with a low-
resistance conductor, like a
wire. With a low resistance in the connection, a high
current will flow, causing the delivery of a large amount of
energy in a short period of time.
A high current flowing through a battery can cause a rapid increase of temperature, potentially resulting in an explosion with the release of
hydrogen gas and
electrolyte (an
acid or a
base), which can burn tissue and cause blindness or even death. Overloaded wires will also
overheat causing damage to the wire's insulation, or starting a fire. High current conditions may also occur with
electric motor loads under stalled conditions, such as when the impeller of an electrically driven
pump is jammed by debris; this is not a short, though it may have some similar effects.
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