What does a circuit do when overloaded?

When a circuit is overloaded, it typically shuts down or may experience a condition known as a short circuit. Overloading occurs when more current flows through the circuit than it is designed to handle, which can lead to excessive heat buildup. This can damage components and poses safety risks such as the potential for fire. To protect against this, many circuits include safety measures like circuit breakers or fuses, which will interrupt the flow of electricity, effectively causing the circuit to shut down.

In some instances, an overloaded circuit can lead to a short circuit, where the electrical flow finds an unintended low-resistance path, resulting in a surge of current. This can cause significant damage if not addressed. Thus, shutting down or becoming a short circuit accurately reflects the behavior of a circuit under overload conditions.