A short-circuit occurs when which conductors come in contact?

A short circuit occurs when an alive conductor comes into contact with a grounded conductor. This situation creates a low-resistance path for current to flow, which can lead to an excessive amount of current flowing through the circuit. When these two conductors touch, the safety mechanisms in place, such as circuit breakers or fuses, may not be able to handle the sudden surge of current. This can result in overheating, equipment damage, and even fire hazards.

In this context, when an alive conductor (which carries current) is directly connected to a grounded conductor (which is intended to safely direct excess current to the earth), the circuit bypasses the normal load resistance, leading to a dangerous and uncontrolled flow of electricity. This is why the interaction between an alive and a grounded conductor is key to understanding how short circuits occur.