When Does An Electric 'Short' Happen?

Also known as short circuit, an electric 'short' occurs when two wires that are not supposed to merge or fuse at any point and are meant to remain separate, collide into each other accidentally and unexpectedly.  This happens normally due to loose connections present in a socket or worn out insulation.  Even a screw driver that is inserted in a socket has a high tendency of resulting in a short circuit.  What is more dangerous is, there is a likely danger of severe injury to the person who is holding the screw driver at that very moment.

Normally the circuit followed by an electric current forces the current to quash certain resistances.  This is done by generating  energy, which is adequate enough to light a toaster or light an electric lamp.  Nonetheless if the two sides of an electrical circuit are accidentally contacted with by a path, which cuts out this resistance and as a result, a short circuit occurs.

It occurs when electric current is channelled to a conductor of very little or no resistance, so the current passing through it would be tremendous, so it would be too hot that it would cause a fire.