What Is an Electrical Shunt?

Sometimes in an electrical circuit, a current needs to be directed so that the circuit is completed correctly. When part of a circuit shorts or breaks similarly, the current will meet a dead end. In order to stop this from ruining everything, an electrical shunt comes into play.

Function

An electrical shunt forces an electrical current to move around a certain part of a circuit.

Significance

When part of a line circuit shorts, a shunt is activated to move a current around the dead spot and hit a point where it can continue on, unbroken.

Materials

Shunts are made of materials that are not electrically conductive. Much of the time, they are formed by the noble gases, such as Neon.

Types

Lightning arrestors, like the ones on radio towers, are relatively large shunts. When lightning strikes, these shunts cause the electricity to arc into the ground harmlessly.

Partial Nullification

Not all electrical shunts completely force a circuit around it. Some simply redirect a partial voltage, allowing the rest to pass through, which is good for parts of circuits that may short easier than others.