The physical displacement of a conductor caused by the Lorentz force when a high current flows through it in the presence of a magnetic field. In power systems, this effect becomes violent during short circuits, where the massive fault currents can literally rip busbars from their supports or whip loose cables across a substation.
Heard on the job
When the fault hit 40 kA, the catapult effect tore the parallel busbars right off their standoff insulators.
Related terms
Lorentz force
The combined electric and magnetic force exerted on a charged particle moving through an electromagnetic field.
Fault current
Abnormally high current that flows when insulation fails and a short circuit or earth fault forms.
Short circuit
Unintended low-impedance path between conductors at different potentials, bypassing the load.