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Fault Current Analysis
The short circuit (called fault in this chapter) is dened as a live conductor touching
another live conductor or ground in a grounded system. It can happen accidentally or
when the insulation in between breaks down. The result is an abnormally high cur-
rent that can cause mechanical and thermal damage to all equipment in series lead-
ing to the fault. The magnitude of prospective fault current at a given location in the
system determines the current interrupting capability of the fuse or circuit breaker
that must be placed between the power source and the fault location in order to pro-
tect the system from potential ...