Understanding the difference between choosing an answer that could be considered broadly correct verses choosing the BPA or best possible answer, which is the choice the examiner will grade as correct, can mean achieving a passing score on your electrical examination. How would you answer the following question:
A type of fault in which the unintentional pathway of the straying current flows directly to the earth (or to the ground) can best be described as which of the following?
A. Arch Fault
B. Ground Fault
C. Short Circuit
D. None of the above
Solution:
B. Ground Fault.
While it is true that any abnormal flow of electricity can be defined as a fault, and the scenario the question describes could also be described as a short circuit since current has bypassed the circuit wiring, the accepted definition of a ground fault in the trade is a circumstance in which a hot wire has made contact with either the grounding wire or the grounded portion of the system (i.e. a metal box). So, ground fault would be the more precise or the BPA best possible answer.
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