Which condition is caused by a low-resistance path that bypasses the load and causes high current?

• A. Short circuit
• B. Open circuit
• C. Ground fault
• D. Overload

Answer: (A)

A short circuit occurs when a low-resistance path forms that bypasses the intended load. With the load effectively out of the circuit, the current is governed mainly by the source and the new, much smaller resistance, so it can become very large (I = V/R). This sudden surge can overheat wires, blow fuses, or trip breakers and potentially damage equipment or start a fire.

Open circuit means there’s no complete path for current, so nothing flows. Ground fault involves current leaking to the earth through an unintended path, which can trip protective devices but isn’t simply bypassing the load. Overload is when the load draws more current than it was designed to handle, but the current still travels through the intended path and load rather than taking a bypass route.