Shorty - Sorry I did not reply. I was out. I do not spend religiously check for replies to posts on the hour or anything like that 
It could well have been that the tail was cut, and the end that swang free welded it self to the second flash mark on the cutters causing the damage. The size of the flash marks indicate to me more of a short circuit to either a DB case, neutral or another phase.
During a short circuit, current will flow. This current may be huge. It is only limited by the earth fault loop impedance of the supply or circuit (or the impedance of the phase/phase or phase/neutral loop). As we are talking tails, I am assuming it is going to be close to the origin of supply. In this case, on a typical TN-C-S system, the earth fault loop is likely to be very low, and in any case, should not be more than 0.35 ohms.
Using ohms law, this gives a current flow of 657amps (2400amps at 0.1ohms). This current is not ficticious, and will flow for the duration of time it takes for the protective device to operate, which on fixed equipment can take anywhere upto 5 seconds. It is this current current that causes molten copper to blast everywhere, and 'plasma cut' the side cutters jaws. 60amp is not a small current, but is small in comparison to the current that actually flows during a short circuit.
For the record, I know your comments where a little in jest, and mine where too. It was the question you asked riccle that made me reply, as you where implying he was wrong by saying "I think it was a little more than that" and comparing him to a welder.
But hey, we all read things one way when they where meant to worded in a different tone
It could well have been that the tail was cut, and the end that swang free welded it self to the second flash mark on the cutters causing the damage. The size of the flash marks indicate to me more of a short circuit to either a DB case, neutral or another phase.
During a short circuit, current will flow. This current may be huge. It is only limited by the earth fault loop impedance of the supply or circuit (or the impedance of the phase/phase or phase/neutral loop). As we are talking tails, I am assuming it is going to be close to the origin of supply. In this case, on a typical TN-C-S system, the earth fault loop is likely to be very low, and in any case, should not be more than 0.35 ohms.
Using ohms law, this gives a current flow of 657amps (2400amps at 0.1ohms). This current is not ficticious, and will flow for the duration of time it takes for the protective device to operate, which on fixed equipment can take anywhere upto 5 seconds. It is this current current that causes molten copper to blast everywhere, and 'plasma cut' the side cutters jaws. 60amp is not a small current, but is small in comparison to the current that actually flows during a short circuit.
For the record, I know your comments where a little in jest, and mine where too. It was the question you asked riccle that made me reply, as you where implying he was wrong by saying "I think it was a little more than that" and comparing him to a welder.
But hey, we all read things one way when they where meant to worded in a different tone
