True or False: Bolted faults produce predictable, smooth oscillograph current curves.

A bolted fault is a type of electrical fault that occurs when an electrical conductor comes into direct contact with a ground or another conductor, creating a low-resistance path for the current to flow. When this happens, the current increases significantly, leading to a rapid change in the electrical system. In a bolted fault, the current tends to flow at maximum levels until the protective devices operate to clear the fault.

Due to the nature of bolted faults, the oscillograph current curves typically display abrupt changes, characterized by sharp peaks rather than smooth transitions. These curves reflect the instantaneous rise in current due to the fault condition, which is not predictable or smooth but rather erratic and steep—especially during the fault's initiation. Thus, the statement that bolted faults produce predictable, smooth oscillograph current curves is false, confirming that the answer is indeed accurate.