This paper presents a method for modeling a PEMFC by using electrical circuits. In particular, it focuses on temperature and voltage distribution of fuel cell. The current distribution is calculated by using the Newton-Raphson method in order to estimate the physical parameters (connection resistances) of the model. Several test on a single PEMFC cell have been carried out during this study. In order to validate the model, temperature and voltage sensors have been installed in different segments of a single cell. A distinguishing advantage of the developed model is its ability to detect and localize the faults within the PEMFC cell, as well as simulate different faults in all of the three directions of the PEMFC cell. (C) 2017 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.