What fault causes current to stop?

An open circuit causes current to stop because it creates a break in the electrical path, preventing the flow of electricity. In an open circuit, there is no continuous path for the current to travel, which effectively interrupts the circuit's operation. This can happen due to various reasons, such as a switch being turned off, a broken wire, or a component failure that opens the circuit. As a result, the current ceases to flow, and devices connected to the circuit will not operate.

In contrast, options like a short circuit and a ground fault involve unintended paths for current to flow but do not stop the current; rather, they can lead to excessive current flow, which can cause damage or hazardous conditions. A power surge represents a sudden increase in voltage that does not stop current, but rather can increase the amount of current flowing through a circuit. Thus, an open circuit is specifically responsible for stopping current flow.