At the component, equipment, or subsystem level, abnormal condition or defect that might lead to a failure. Accidental condition that causes a functional unit to fail to perform its required function. A defect that causes a reproducible or catastrophic malfunction. A malfunction is considered reproducible if it consistently occurs under the same circumstances. In power systems, an unintentional short circuit, or partial short circuit, between energized conductors or between an energized conductor and ground. See also interlock.