Knowing the difference between an answer choice that could be considered broadly correct verses the “BPA” or best possible answer choice, which is the answer the examiner will recognize as correct, can determine whether you pass your electrical examination. Can you answer the following question?
Question:
The type of fault in which the unintentional pathway of the straying current flows directly to earth (to 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 any abnormal flow of electricity can be defined as a type of fault, a ground fault is typically defined as a type of fault in which the unintended path of the straying current flows directly to the earth (the ground). Since in the scenario the question describes the flow of current has bypassed the circuit wiring, the resulting fault could also be technically defined as a type of short circuit. Yet short circuit would not be considered the best possible answer choice. Why?
Because in the field a ground fault is more precisely defined as 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. That’s why ground fault would be considered the “BPA” or best possible answer choice.
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