A short circuit is an electrical circuit that allows a current to travel along an unintended path with no or very low electrical impedance. This results in an excessive current flowing through the circuit. It will also happen when there is a bypass of electrical current.
Short circuit occurs when the wiring circuit is interrupted. There are two types of short circuit: short circuit and ground fault.
Short Circuit
This is also commonly a term used by electricians to refer to a situation whereby hot wire carrying live current touches a neutral wire. When this occur, there will be excessive current flowing through an unintended path. In some occasions you may here crackling sound and see smoke and flame.
Ground Fault
This occurs when the hot wire that is carrying current comes in contact with some grounded portion of the system like the ground metal wall box. Similarly, this will allow excessive current to flow through an unintended pathway, resulting in a sudden shock.
There are some common causes of short circuits.
Faulty Wire Insulation
After some time, you need to replace your wire otherwise, the old or damaged insulation on wire may allow neutral and hot wires to touch, causing a short circuit. The insulator may be damaged by nails or animal bites or due to wear and tear. This will cause the inner wires to be exposed resulting in short circuit when not careful.
Loose Wire Connections
When the wire has been there for a long time, it may become loosen over time. This will give rise to the event where the neutral and live wires come into contact, resulting in a short circuit.
Fixing the wire connection is not easy and it may be a little difficult, which requires experts to help out. Hence, it is better to contact emergency electrician Singapore in the event where you experience short circuit multiple times.
Faulty Appliance Wiring
Some broken and old appliances can also trigger short circuits over time. Internal short circuit usually happen in power cords, plugs, or within the device. If you have encountered a short circuit, it is better to get an electrician to check your larger appliances like dishwashers and ovens to prevent getting electrocuted.
There are many occasions where you may encounter a short circuit. However, do not panic when that happens. You just need to turn off all the light and appliances then turn the circuit breaker back on before switching on the light and appliances again. After you have identified the circuit wiring problem, you can proceed to hiring an expert electrician to resolve your wiring problem. Remember to hire an electrician when you are unsure of what to do instead of putting your life at risk!
