Difference Between Overload and Short circuit

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What is an Overload?

Overloading means when the current flows into a circuit more than the capacity of components in the circuit to resist current. To ensure that the electrical conductors do not exceed the limit, a protective device, known as the circuit breaker is installed within the circuit with a current rating which matches the conductors.



What is a short circuit?

Short circuiting is when the electric current flows down the wrong or unintended path with little to no electrical resistance. This might cause heavy damage, fire or even small scale explosions.

Difference Between Overload and Short Circuit:

Short circuit and overload, in spite of similarities, are different from each other.  On the occurrence of a short circuit, the voltage at the point of the fault falls to zero and the current in the network increases abnormally to a higher value. But in the case of overload reduction in the terminal voltage of the equipment occurs but the voltage will never fall to zero. Similarly, the current also increases to a higher value but not as high as in the case of a short circuit.



 

Basis For 

Short Circuit

Overload

Meaning

In the short-circuit the voltage at the fault point decreases to zero and current of irregular high value flows through the faulty point of the network.

The overload means that load is greater than the capable value that has been imposed on the system.

Voltage

Zero

The voltage becomes very low, but cannot ever be zero.

Current

High

Low when compared to short circuits.

Occur

It occurs when the neutral wire and the live wire touch each other.

It occurs when a large number of devices are joined in a single socket.

 

 

Another major difference between the short circuit and the overload is that the short circuit occurs because of the fault between the lines or line-to-earth whereas the overload means the equipment draws the excess of current from the supply.



So, there you have it, a clear understanding of an Overload and a short circuit and the difference between the two. Now. If you’re having a problem with either in your space, be it home or office, just contact G3 Electrical for quality services.

 Address:- 10520 YONGE STREET RICHMOND HILL, ONTARIO CANADA

www.g3electric.ca


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