When conducting a short-circuit study, which of the following is considered a source of fault current?

The correct choice, utility generation, is considered a source of fault current during a short-circuit study because it represents a significant contribution to the overall fault current that can occur in an electrical system. Utility generation includes power plants and other facilities that produce electricity, typically supplying power to the distribution network. When a fault occurs, such as a short circuit, the utility generation can inject a large amount of fault current into the system due to the voltage and capacity of the generator.

The importance of utility generation as a fault current source lies in the fact that it helps engineers and electricians determine the maximum potential fault current that could occur at various points in the electrical system. Understanding this allows for the proper sizing of equipment and protective devices to ensure safety and reliability.

While electric heating loads, switchboards, and panelboards may play roles in an electrical system, they do not serve as significant sources of fault current. Electric heating loads are passive and draw current rather than supply it, while switchboards and panelboards are components of the electrical distribution system that manage and control the current but do not directly contribute to fault current generation like utility generation does.