Shorted Coil – What It Means & How to Fix It in Vaping

Definition

A Shorted Coil is a build or factory-made atomiser head in which the heating wire has made unintended electrical contact with itself or the metal deck, creating a path of almost zero resistance. Instead of heating evenly to vaporise e-liquid, the coil “short circuits,” causing the mod to read a resistance far lower than the true value or to display “0.0 Ω.” The result is little or no vapour, overheating of the device, and potential firing of built-in Short Circuit Protection. For Australian vapers using a Sub-Ohmtank or rebuildable dripper, recognising a shorted coil is essential to prevent battery stress, ruined cotton, and wasted e–liquid.

Technical Details

Inside every coil, current should travel the full length of resistance wire (Kanthal, Ni80, SS316, etc.). A short occurs when two points of that wire—or the wire and the atomiser deck—touch, effectively removing part of the resistance path. On a regulated mod the board senses the drop (often below 0.1 Ω) and either refuses to fire or shows “Short Atomiser.” On a mech the battery sees an ultra-low load, pushing current toward its continuous discharge limit and multiplying heat in both cell and coil. Typical causes are over-tightened post screws, clipped wire tails touching the cap, a torn wrap touching the deck, or a crushed stock coil after a drop. Variations include “micro-shorts” (partial short, erratic resistance) and “hard shorts” (solid metal contact, 0.0 Ω).

Usage & Tips

• Check resistance on a regulated mod or Ohm Reader”>ohm reader before first fire; look for jumps of ±0.05 Ω.
• Pulse new builds at 15–20 W to spot hot-legs or shorts; glowing only from the centre out indicates a healthy coil.
• Trim wire tails flush with posts and angle them away from the deck or top cap.
• Stock coils: ensure the base pin is tight and the coil housing isn’t dented when you swap one out in your Kit“>Starter Kit.
• If your screen says “Short” or resistance reads “0.00,” remove the atomiser, inspect for stray metal or damaged cotton, and reinstall. Still faulty? Discard the coil—continued firing can bypass Short Circuit Protection and damage the cell.

History & Context

When early vapers began pushing Sub-Ohm limits on mechanical tubes, shorts were a leading cause of battery venting. The introduction of board-driven protection circuits in 2014, and the rise of mass-produced mesh-style coils with better insulation, reduced incidents. Today, even entry-level Starter Kit devices flag a Shorted Coil instantly, making vaping safer while still rewarding users who learn basic coil geometry.