The gas dynamics of the channel is affected by the load variation, which is responsible for shock wave formation. They (i.e. the shock wave), on the one hand, help in increasing the electrical conductivity of the fluid, whereas on the other hand, they disturb the fluid flow causing nonuniformity. These effects are studied at 45 degrees slant angle for a diagonal generator at subsonic flow. It has been shown that no severe disturbance is induced by a short fault in the low interaction diagonal generator. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.