A short circuit is an abnormal condition in an electrical circuit where the electrical current flows through an unintended, shorter pathway instead of following the circuit. An electrical circuit is a circular flow of energy from a home's electrical service panel and back again. This flow is continuous and unbroken.

What causes an electrical short circuit?

A short circuit is any electrical flow that strays outside its intended circuit with little or no resistance to that flow. The usual cause is bare wires touching one another or wire connections that have come loose. ... Frayed or otherwise damaged electrical extension cords or appliance cords can also cause short circuits.

What happens when short circuit occurs?

If a short circuit occurs—or even if too many appliances get hooked up to one wire so that too much current flows—the wire in the fuse heats up quickly and melts, breaking the circuit and preventing a fire from starting.