We investigated resistance development in $Au/YBa_2Cu_3O_7(YBCO)$ thin film meander lines during high-power faults. The meander lines were fabricated by patterning 300 nm thick YBCO films coated with 200 nm thick gold layers into meander lines. A gold film grown on the back side of the substrate was also patterned into a meander line. The front meander line was connected to a high-power fault-test circuit and the back line to a DC power supply. Resistance of both lines was measured during the fault. They were immersed in liquid nitrogen during the experiment. Behavior of the resistance development prior to quench completion could be understood better by comparing resistance of the front meander lines with that of the back. Quench completion point could be determined clearly. Resistance and temperature at the quench completion point were not affected by applied field strength. The experimental results were analyzed quantitatively with the concept of heat transfer within the meander lines/substrate and to the surrounding liquid nitrogen. In analysis, the fault period was divided into three regions: flux-flow region, region prior to quench completion, and region after quench completion. Resistance was calculated for each region, reflecting the observation for quench completion. The calculated resistance in three regions was joined seamlessly and agreed well with data.