Overcurrent protection
Low-voltage electrical installations - Electrical protection

Overcurrents are classified into two groups:

• overloads: overcurrents occurring in an electrical circuit, which are not due to an electrical fault. Overloads are small and are often caused by too many appliances being powered, or by appliances that are too powerful;

• short-circuit (I _k ): overcurrent produced by a fault with negligible impedance between active conductors presenting a potential difference in normal service. Short-circuits can have very high values.