Voltage dropping to zero

[lquadros]

When a circuit is loaded beyond its parameters, the voltage will drop to zero. How is this technically explained? In case of pneumatic circuits, when a valve is operating, the main pressure gauge deflects lower. There seems to have a similarity. Any ideas? Thanks.

 

[shamsdebout]

I am not sure I follow, what parameters are we talking about on a circuit?

 

[jghrist]

When a circuit is loaded beyond its parameters, the voltage will drop to zero. How is this technically explained? In case of pneumatic circuits, when a valve is operating, the main pressure gauge deflects lower. There seems to have a similarity. Any ideas? Thanks.

This would only be true if the loading was a direct short-circuit or if the loading caused a protective device to trip.

 

[LarryFine]

One big hint would be what it takes to restore the power. If reducing the load does it, then you either have a power supply with a current-limiting function, or a poor connection that exposes itself with high current.

The trounleshooting starts with finding the point where the power is lost while the event is occurring. Checking the voltage across connections (fall-of-potential testing) will narrow the search down even farther.