Trick Question: "How long is a short circuit?" HELP!

Question

I was asked this trick question. My first reply was, "SHORT!" I was told that was CLOSE, but not the answer. I also said, "shorter than the original circuit" thinking circuits don't really have a LENGTH? Not the answer either. HELP!

Answer 1

The time to dissipate the power coming into a circuit or component and to clear the protection device feeding the power.

A dead short could be measured in milisecounds.

Answer 2

Should be something with the fuse.  Since a fuse is a short.

So it's as long as the fuse?

or

As long as it takes to become an open?

Answer 3

the answer is 57

Answer 4

For an AC circuit, the minimum clearing time for most fuses is 1/2 cycle.  That is 0.0083 seconds at 60 Hz.

Circuit breakers can take a few cycles.  4 cycles @ 60 Hz = 0.067 sec.

Current limiting fuses are a "zero forcing device" capable of interrupting current in less than 1/2 cycle.

The times stated above are generally the fastest clearing times.  Many over-current devices have a time over-current curve that operates slower for lower fault current values.  Curves that display the amperage vs. time data are known as Time Current Characteristics (TCC) curves.

Answer 5

The short circuit is only as long as it takes the overcurrent protection to open.  

Answer 6

I think the clever answer is ZERO.  A short circuit suggests two nodes are connected to each other directly with zero resistance between, so since no actual material has zero resistance, then one must conclude that the length of connecting wire is so short to be considered zero.