Types of Electrical Circuit Faults 

During maintenance on heavy equipment such as excavators, bulldozers, motor graders, etc., as well as on light vehicles, electrical faults are often encountered. There are many causes of electrical faults, as outlined below. 

image-types-of-electrical-circuit-faults 

Open Circuit 

An open circuit is the presence of a potential difference between two terminals of a device when it is disconnected from a circuit or when there is a lack of continuity, such as a broken wire. 

An open circuit has the following characteristics: 

• No current will flow through an open circuit. 
• An open circuit can be created by a break in the circuit or by something that opens (turns off) the circuit and prevents current flow. 
• In any circuit containing a power load and a ground, an open anywhere in the circuit will cause the circuit to malfunction. 
• Light switches in homes and headlight switches in vehicles are examples of devices that open the circuit for operation. 
• A fuse will blow (open) when the current in the circuit exceeds the fuse's rating. This stops the current flow to prevent damage to components or wiring as a result of the fault.

Short to Voltage 

When a wire (conductor) or component is shorted to voltage, it is usually referred to as a short circuit. A short to voltage occurs when the power side of one circuit is electrically connected to the power side of another circuit. A short circuit has the following characteristics: 

• It is a complete circuit in which current typically passes through some or all of the resistance in the circuit. 
• It involves the power side of the circuit. 
• It involves a copper-to-copper connection (two power sides of the wires touching together). 
• It is also called a short to voltage. 
• It usually affects more than one circuit. In this case, if one circuit is electrically connected to another, one circuit may operate when it is not supposed to because it is receiving power from the other circuit. 
• It may or may not blow a fuse.

Short to Ground 

A short to ground is a type of short circuit that occurs when current bypasses part of a normal circuit and flows directly to ground. A short to ground has the following characteristics: 

Because the ground return circuit is metal (the vehicle frame, engine, or body), it is often identified as having copper-to-steel connections. 

• This occurs when a power line wire accidentally touches a return wire or conductor. 
• A faulty component or circuit that is shorted to ground is commonly referred to as grounded. 
• A short to ground almost always results in a blown fuse, damaged connector, or melted wiring. 

High Resistance 

High resistance can be caused by any of the following: 

• Corroded connector pins 
• Loose terminals in connectors 
• Loose grounding connections 

If there is high resistance anywhere in the circuit, it can cause the following problems: 

• Slow operation of motor-driven units, such as windshield wipers or blower motors 
• Dim lights 
• "Clicking" of relays or solenoids 
• No operation of the circuit or electrical component

Lokasi: Indonesia

Berbagi :