Short-circuit current: definition

Beginner

A short burst of wasted electricity when a gate flips, while both its switches are partly on at once.

Novice

During a transition, the input passes through a range where both the NMOS and PMOS conduct, so current flows straight from the supply to ground for a moment.

Expert

Crowbar current during input transitions, when $V_{\mathrm{tn}} < V_{\mathrm{in}} < V_{\mathrm{DD}} - |V_{\mathrm{tp}}|$ . Usually under 10% of dynamic power when input and output edge rates are comparable; it grows with slow input slews and disappears when $V_{\mathrm{DD}} < V_{\mathrm{tn}} + |V_{\mathrm{tp}}|$ .