A failure in an electrical circuit that allows current to flow through an unintended path. Faults are typically caused by insulation breakdown, mechanical damage, or environmental factors like lightning or wildlife. They result in massive overcurrents that must be rapidly cleared by protection relays to prevent fires, explosions, or equipment destruction.
The relay recorded a transient electrical fault on phase B, likely a tree branch brushing the line during the storm.
Also heard as
- fault
Related terms
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.
Earth fault
Fault in which a live conductor makes unintended contact with earth or with earthed metalwork.