What is a Bolted Short Circuit?

Bolted Short Circuit refers to a worst case scenario of a short circuit where all the conductors in a system are imagined to be "bolted" together, thus causing the highest possible fault current.  This hypothetical scenario is used to calculate the fault level of an electrical power system.All components of a power system such as switchgear and conductor are designed to withstand this high current.    The impedance of the system is assumed to be zero in this kind of condition.