this post was submitted on 28 May 2025
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I can tell you from experience; both occur.
Such a thin piece of aluminum across 120vac super heats so quickly that it basically vaporizes, faster than the breaker can react. That metal vapor allows an arch to form still passing excess current which is what finally trips the breaker. (standard breakers take time to trip, longer than fuses in many cases; this is intentional design. GFCI breakers are a different story.) Sometimes this arc doesn't form and the breaker doesn't trip; but it usually does.
Once tripped, the vapor has time to dissipate so the short clears and the breaker can be turned back on.
None of this is advice. Someone asked about dumb pranks I've pulled in school. I'm just discussing the past; not making recommendations for the future.