When it comes to electrical safety, one of the most overlooked yet critical engineering analyses is the Short Circuit Study. While many facility owners and contractors are familiar with arc flash assessments and coordination studies, the short circuit study is the foundation that supports both.
Without it, you may be operating in the dark and often with underrated equipment that can fail when you need it most.
What Is a Short Circuit Study?
A short circuit occurs when electricity takes an unintended path which is typically through damaged insulation, faulty connections, or grounded conductors. This leads to a surge of current, often 10 to 50 times higher than the normal load, capable of causing catastrophic damage in milliseconds.
A Short Circuit Study analyzes potential fault current levels at key points in the power system, from service entrances to downstream panels. The results are then used to:
- Verify that breakers and fuses have adequate interrupting ratings
- Ensure bus bars, switchgear, and panelboards can withstand available fault current
- Provide essential data for arc flash analysis and protective device coordination
Without this analysis, facilities risk unknowingly installing equipment that’s not rated to handle actual fault conditions which can lead to a serious safety and liability concern.
Why Contractors and Facility Managers Need It
Electrical contractors and project managers are under pressure to meet deadlines and deliver value. A short circuit study is a proactive step that enhances reliability, safety, and compliance. Here’s why it matters:
1. Code Compliance
Industry standards such as NEC 110.9 and 110.10, NFPA 70E, and IEEE 242 (Buff Book) require verification of fault current levels. Failing to do so can result in failed inspections and costly delays.
2. Equipment Protection
Even premium-rated breakers can explode or fail if the fault current exceeds their interrupting capacity. A study helps prevent:
- Breaker failure and internal arcing
- Equipment damage and system outages
- Fire and injury hazards
3. Safe System Design and Expansion
Planning to add new loads or upgrade service gear? A short circuit study confirms whether your existing infrastructure can handle the new conditions—before you energize.
4. Prerequisite for Arc Flash Studies
An arc flash study is incomplete and unreliable without accurate fault current data. Per IEEE 1584, this input is essential for determining incident energy and proper PPE requirements.
What’s Involved in a Short Circuit Study?
A typical study involves:
• Collecting system data (one-line diagrams, utility data, device specs)
• Modeling the system in software such as SKM PowerTools or ETAP
• Calculating fault currents at key locations (switchboards, MCCs, panels)
• Comparing those results with equipment ratings
• Providing a clear report with findings and recommendations, such as breaker upgrades or fuse replacements
What Happens If You Skip It?
Facilities operating without a short circuit study are exposed to:
• Unexpected downtime and equipment failure
• Failed inspections or AHJ rejection
• Increased legal liability for electrical accidents
• Incorrect arc flash labels and PPE guidance
Bottom line: skipping this study puts your people, property, and profits at risk.
How We Can Help
We conduct short circuit studies using industry-standard tools like SKM PowerTools, offering:
• Short circuit fault analysis
• Protective device coordination
• Arc flash labeling and documentation
• Compliance reviews (NEC, NFPA 70E, OSHA)
Whether you’re a contractor managing a design-build project or a facility engineer evaluating system upgrades, we deliver fast, accurate results that reduce liability and ensure full code compliance.
Let’s Talk
Not sure if your system is properly rated—or working off outdated documentation? We can help.
Let’s schedule a quick call to review your system and discuss how we can support your next project with a comprehensive short circuit study.
