Solutions for Safety & Visual Communication

Favorites

Monday-Friday 5:30am-4:00pm PT

1-888-326-9244

Graphic Products
  • Resources
  • Support
  • Samples
  • Contact
  • Shop All Products
    CLOSE

    CATEGORIES
    • Printers
    • Printer Supply
    • Floor Marking
    • Pipe Marking
    • Signs & Labels
    • COVID-19 Solutions

    DuraLabel Kodiak

    DuraLabel Kodiak
    Multi-color, large format

    KODIAK SUPPLIES
    DuraLabel Toro

    DuraLabel Toro
    Portable, stand-alone

    TORO SUPPLIES
    DuraLabel Bronco

    DuraLabel Bronco
    Industrial, efficient

    BRONCO SUPPLIES
    DuraLabel Lobo

    DuraLabel Lobo
    Grab n' go labeler

    LOBO SUPPLIES
    DuraLabel Pro Series

    DuraLabel PRO 300
    Simple and reliable

    PRO 300 SUPPLIES

    LABELING SOFTWARE PRINTER ACCESSORIES PRINTER SUPPORT SHOP ALL PRINTERS
    SHOP BY APPLICATION
    Arc Flash GHS & HazCom Laboratory Pipe Labeling Wire Marking See All
    SUPPLY TYPE
    General Purpose High Visibility Low/High Temperatures Repositionable Tamper Resistant See All
    SHOP BY PRINTER
    Kodiak Supplies Toro Supplies Bronco Supplies Lobo Supplies DLP 300 Supplies See All

    RIBBONS PRINTER & SUPPLY BUNDLES SHOP ALL SUPPLIES
    FLOOR TAPES
    5S Aisle Glow in the Dark Reflective Anti-Slip See All
    FLOOR SIGNS
    BUNDLES
    SHAPES
    ACCESSORIES
    Applicators Stair Safety Floor Laminate
    Social Distancing Floor Signs

    SHOP ALL FLOOR TAPES
    STANDARD PIPE MARKERS
    Fire Quenching Flammable / Oxidizing Toxic or Corrosive Compressed Air Various Water See All
    AMMONIA
    Pipe Markers Component Markers See All
    SHOP BY STANDARD
    ANSI IIAR Pre-2007 ANSI
    flammable-pipe-markers

    ARROW BANDING TAPE ACCESSORIES VALVE TAGS SHOP ALL PIPE MARKERS
    SHOP BY SUBJECT
    Admittance Chemical Electrical Emergency PPE See All
    SHOP BY HEADER
    Caution Danger Notice Safety Warning See All
    COVID-19 Premade Signs

    SHOP ALL SAFETY SIGNS
    COVID-19 SOLUTIONS
    Safety Signs Printer Kits Awareness Posters A-Frame Signs Sneeze Guards
    SOCIAL DISTANCING
    Wall Signs & Labels Floor Signs Floor Tape Shop All
    COVID-19 BY INDUSTRY
    Grocery & Retail Medical & Healthcare Office Settings Restaurants & Food Service Food Manufacturing Construction
     
    Manufacturing Finance Transportation Education

    SHOP ALL COVID-19 SOLUTIONS
  • My Account
  • Quick Order
    Enter item SKU# and quantity
  • Cart()
Monday-Friday 5:30am-4:00pm PT 1-888-326-9244
Graphic Products
Menu Sign In
Products
Printers
Shop All Printers
Industrial Printers
Shop All Industrial Printers DuraLabel Toro DuraLabel Kodiak DuraLabel Bronco DuraLabel Lobo DuraLabel Pro 300
Bundles & Starter Kits
Shop All Bundles & Starter Kits
Labeling Software
Software DuraSuite Labeling Software LabelForge Labeling Software
Printer Supply
Shop All Printer Supply
Shop by Application
Shop All by Application Arc Flash GHS & Hazcom Laboratory Pipe Labeling Wire Marking
Shop by Supply Type
Shop All by Supply Type General Purpose High Visibility Low/High Temperatures Repositionable Tamper Resistant
Shop by Printer
Shop All by Printer DuraLabel Kodiak DuraLabel Toro DuraLabel Bronco DuraLabel Lobo DuraLabel Pro 300
Other
Shop All Other Ribbons Printer & Supply Bundle
Floor Marking
Shop All Floor Marking
Floor Tape
Shop All Floor Tape 5S Aisle Glow in the Dark Reflective Anti-Slip
Floor Signs
Shop All Floor Signs
Accessories
Shop All Accessories Stair Safety Floor Laminate
Other
Shop All Other Bundles Shapes
Safety Signs & Labels
Shop All Safety Signs
Shop by Subject
Shop All by Subject Admittance Chemical Electrical Emergency PPE
Shop by Header
Shop All by Header Caution Danger Notice Safety Warning
COVID-19 Solutions
Shop All COVID-19 Solutions
COVID-19 Solutions
Safety Signs Printer Kits Awareness Posters A-Frame Signs Sneeze Guards
Social Distancing
Wall Signs & Labels Floor Signs Floor Tape Shop All
COVID-19 by Industry
Grocery & Retail Medical & Healthcare Office Settings Restaurants & Food Service Food Manufacturing Construction Manufacturing Finance Transportation Education
Pipe Markers & Tags
Shop All Pipe Markers & Tags
Standard Pipe Markers
Shop All Standard Pipe Markers Fire Quenching Flammable/Oxidizing Toxic or Corrosive Compressed Air Various Water
Ammonia
Shop All Ammonia Pipe Markers Component Markers
Shop by Standard
Shop All by Standard ANSI IIAR Pre-2007 ANSI
Other
Shop All Other Arrow Banding Tape Accessories Valve Tags
Resources
Support
Free Samples
Contact Us
Cart
Sign In
  • Home
  • Resources
  • Articles
  • Short Circuit Analysis

Short Circuit Analysis

BY GRAPHIC PRODUCTS STAFF

What is a Short Circuit?

A short circuit is the flow of current through an unintended path of lower resistance. Short circuits result from unintended connections to ground, two points of different voltages coming into contact, or two phases contacting each other. In many cases the flow of current is through a near-zero resistance connection, resulting in very high current levels.

Why is a Short Circuit Dangerous?

A short circuit current can be very large. This can result in large, rapid releases of energy in the form of heat, intense magnetic fields, and even potentially as explosions known as an arc blast. The heat can damage or destroy wiring insulation and electrical components. An arc blast produces a shock wave that may carry vaporized or molten metal, and can be fatal to unprotected people who are close by.

What are Bolted, Arcing and Ground Faults?

A bolted fault typically results from a manufacturing or assembly error that results in two conductors of different voltages being "bolted" together, or a source of power being directly connected (bolted) to ground. Since the connectors are solidly bolted there in no arc created and the high current quickly trips a protective device limiting the damage.

An arc fault is one in which the short circuit creates an arc. An arc is a flow of electricity between two conductors that are not in contact. The resulting intense heat can result in a fire, significant damage to the equipment, and possibly an arc flash or arc blast resulting in serious injuries.

A ground fault is when electricity finds an unintended, low resistance, path to ground. When that path goes through a human body the resulting heat can cause serious burns, and the electrical shock can disrupt the functioning of the human heart (fibrillation).

What are Symmetrical and Asymmetrical Currents?

A polyphase system may experience either a symmetrical or an asymmetrical fault. A symmetrical fault current is one that affects all phases equally. If just some of the phases are affected, or the phases are affected unequally, then the fault current is asymmetrical.

Symmetrical faults are relatively simple to analyze, however they account for very few actual faults. Only about 5% of faults are symmetrical. Asymmetrical faults are more difficult to analyze, but they are the more common type of fault.

What are Protective Devices for Short Circuit Analysis?

Protective devices are designed to detect a fault condition and shut off the electric current before there is significant damage. There are a number of different types of protective devices, the two most common are:

Fuses and Circuit Breakers

Fuses and circuit breakers are used to protect an electrical circuit from an over-current situation, usually resulting from a short circuit, by cutting off the power supply. Fuses can only be used once. Circuit breakers may be reset and used multiple times.

Ground Fault Interrupter (GFI)

This is a device that detects when the current flow in the energized conductor does not equal the return current in the neutral conductor. The GFI protects people by quickly cutting off the current flow preventing injuries resulting from shock.  Ground Fault Interrupters are typically used in homes for bathroom, kitchen, and outdoor electrical sockets. The GFI will typically be built into the electrical socket.

A GFI does not provide over-current protection, and the circuit that includes a GFI will also include a fuse or circuit breaker.

In addition to fuses, circuit breakers, and GFIs, there are electrical protection devices that:

  • detect changes in current or voltage levels
  • monitor the ratio of voltage to current
  • provide over-voltage protection
  • provide under-voltage protection
  • detect reverse-current flow
  • detect phase reversal

Benefits of Short Circuit Analysis

Conducting a short circuit analysis has the following benefits:

  • Helps avoid unplanned outages and downtime.
  • Is critical for avoiding interruptions of essential services
  • Reduces the risk of equipment damage and fires
  • Increases safety and protects people from injuries
  • Determines the level and type of protective devices that are needed.
  • Provides the information needed for NEC and NFPA required labels
  • Keeps you in compliance with NEC requirements

How is Short Circuit Current Calculated?

NEC 110 requires that a short circuit analysis be done for all electrical equipment and panels. The two most common standards for short circuit current calculations are the ANSI/IEEE C37.010-1979 standard and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 60909 standard.

The ANSI C37.010 standard was intended to be used for power circuit breaker selection, but it does provide the information needed for NEC 110 required labeling. The IEC 60909-3:2009 standard is more generic. It is intended to provide general guidelines for short-circuit analysis of any asymmetrical short circuit in a three-phase 50 Hz or 60Hz A.C. electrical system.

Either the ANSI or the IEC short circuit calculation method can be used. They have been compared and found to produce similar results. The ANSI method is commonly used in short circuit current calculation software. Some feel that the IEC method lends itself to manual calculations.

Related Resources

Electrical Safety & Arc Flash Training

Electrical Safety & Arc Flash Training

Understand common electrical hazards, solutions, and arc flash training requirements based on the NFPA 70E standard

Read
Calculating Arc Flash Energies

Arc Flash Energies

Learn basic guidelines for evaluating arc flash hazards at voltages under 250V.

Download
10 Steps to Developing an Arc Flash Hazard Program

Arc Flash Risk Assessment in 10 Steps

Follow this simple series of steps to complete an effective arc flash risk assessment.

Download
  • This free chart provides a quick reference on arc flash label requirements.
Get the latest deals straight to your inbox
Trusted by These Companies
Starbucks
GM
Du Pont
Amazon
Disney
3M
Pepsi
NASA
Chevron
AT&T
Toyota
Coca-Cola
UPS
Target
  • Graphic Products, Inc.
    9825 SW Sunshine Ct
    Beaverton, OR
    97005 USA

  • 1-888-326-9244 (U.S./Canada)
  • +1-503-644-5572 (International)
  • Products
  • Printers
  • Printer Supplies
  • Safety Signs
  • Safety Labels
  • Floor Marking
  • Pipe Markers & Tags
  • Catalog
  • Support
  • Shipping & Returns
  • Manage Account
  • Printer Support
  • Warranties
  • Resources
  • Resource Center
  • Guides
  • Articles
  • Video Library
  • Safety Blog
  • Infographics
  • Webinars
  • Company
  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Become a Dealer
  • Find a Dealer
  • Press Room

Need Help?

Give us a call at 1-888-326-9244 and speak with an expert.

Customer Reviews
  • Copyright © 2021
  • All Rights Reserved
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Shipping and Returns
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Personal Data