Which scenario describes an open circuit?

An open circuit refers to a situation where there is a break in the conductive path, preventing current from flowing through the circuit. In this context, when the circuit doesn’t operate and the protective device doesn’t activate, it indicates that there is no completed loop for current to flow. This can happen due to a physical disconnection or an interruption in the circuit, resulting in no current reaching the device and, therefore, no operation occurring.

The absence of operation alongside the lack of activation of protective devices suggests that the circuit is completely open and not functioning at all. Protective devices, like fuses or circuit breakers, typically activate to protect against overloads or faults; if they do not activate, it further confirms that the circuit is not allowing any current to pass through it. Hence, this scenario accurately depicts an open circuit.