Short circuit
= Short circuit
{wiki}
An ideal <short circuit> fixes zero <electric potential difference> across a terminal pair, corresponding to zero load <electrical impedance>. At the end of a lossless <transmission line>, its voltage-wave <reflection coefficient> is $-1$ and the terminal <voltage> is zero. The available current is still limited by source and circuit impedances; real short circuits can dissipate substantial <Joule heating>.