What phrase best describes "likely to become energized" in accordance with NEC Style Manual?

The phrase "likely to become energized" refers to a condition in which a component or conductor may unintentionally come into contact with a live electrical source, potentially resulting in hazardous situations. In accordance with the NEC Style Manual, this condition is best described as a failure of insulation.

When insulation fails, it can no longer effectively separate conductive parts from each other or from the grounded surfaces, increasing the risk of parts becoming live. This creates a scenario where a conductive item that should remain de-energized may inadvertently become energized, posing a shock and fire hazard.

Other terms like voltage surge, overload condition, and grounding fault relate to different electrical phenomena. A voltage surge refers to a temporary increase in voltage that can occur under specific conditions, while an overload condition occurs when the current exceeds the rated capacity of a conductor or device. A grounding fault involves a fault condition where electrical current unintentionally flows to the ground, which is different from the concept of insulation failure indicating a heightened risk of becoming energized.