Ones that aren't intended to run all the time. Say you're in a factory. You've got electric conveyor belts, electric production machines and a toolroom. The machines and the conveyors run pretty much all the time, unless you're doing maintenance on them or they break down. Those are considered continuous loads, because the idea is that you never turn them off. You keep the lights in the toolroom off unless someone's in there, so they're an intermittent load. ...and I just noticed this is a Car question. (Slapping head.) Things that are powered all the time the car's running, like the engine, are continuous loads; things you switch, like the brake lights, are intermittent loads.
An effect of connecting a poor contact in an electrical circuit could be intermittent current flow.
Loads
light bulbs switches
In a parallel circuit an electrical load may be disconnected without affecting other loads.
High voltage loads is a high electrical discharge that can result to electrical breakdown. Example: High power amplifier vacuum tubes or particle beams. High current loads are the loads that can have peak current greater than 10 amps. Example: Motors, solenoids or nitinol wire.
The most likely cause of 'dark' and 'intermittent' responses from a digital display is when the individual bulbs at the back are making bad electrical connection with the ribbon-loom
Electrical circuit is a network that has closed path giving a return way for the current. It is a connection of power supply, conductors and loads.
A calculated load in electrical terminology is the sum of all of the loads that are connected to a system. To size a service distribution for a home all of the connected loads have to be calculated in. Some loads can be derated as per the electrical code. When the total amperage is calculated from the sum of all of the loads, the wire size and distribution can be sized to handle the calculated load.
By adding together the power ratings, and applying a diversity factor. A 'diversity factor' takes into account that not all loads will be operating at the same time.
when loads act as switches
Sounds like some kind of intermittent electrical short
There are several different types of circuit breakers that can carry various electrical loads.