Which component is likely the source of an open circuit?

An open circuit occurs when there is a break in the continuity of the path through which current flows, preventing the flow of electricity. A broken wire directly interrupts this pathway, making it the most straightforward and likely source of an open circuit.

When a wire is broken, there is an interruption that stops the electrical current from reaching its destination, such as an electrical device or a load. Unlike a broken wire, a shorted resistor would create an unintended connection leading to an alternate path for the current, but would not create an open circuit. An intact capacitor can store charge, and a functioning transformer operates by transferring electrical energy efficiently without necessarily causing an open circuit. Thus, a broken wire is the most common cause of an open circuit situation.