When a circuit is faulted, or short-circuited, all the __________ which the electrical system is able to supply to the faulted location goes to that fault.

When a circuit is faulted, or short-circuited, all the __________ which the electrical system is able to supply to the faulted location goes to that fault.

• A. current
• B. impedance
• C. voltage
• D. wattage

Answer: (A)

When a fault occurs, the path through the fault becomes a very low-impedance route. The electrical system then pushes as much current as its source voltage and the surrounding network impedance allow into that path. In other words, the fault draws the maximum short-circuit current the system can supply. The emphasis is on the amount of current flowing into the fault, not on impedance, voltage, or wattage as the quantity “going to” the fault.

When a fault occurs, the path through the fault becomes a very low-impedance route. The electrical system then pushes as much current as its source voltage and the surrounding network impedance allow into that path. In other words, the fault draws the maximum short-circuit current the system can supply. The emphasis is on the amount of current flowing into the fault, not on impedance, voltage, or wattage as the quantity “going to” the fault.