What device is commonly used to limit current in electrical installations?

In electrical installations, a circuit breaker is a protective device designed to automatically interrupt the flow of current in the event of an overload or short circuit. Its primary function is to protect electrical circuits from damage caused by excess current. When the current exceeds a predetermined safe level, the circuit breaker trips, effectively limiting the current and preventing potential hazards such as overheating or fire.

While resistors can also limit current through the application of Ohm's Law (V = IR), they are not typically used as safety devices in the same way that circuit breakers are. Resistors can cause power dissipation as heat, making them less suitable for protection in high-current scenarios. Similarly, transformers and capacitors perform different functions in electrical systems—transformers are used to change voltage levels, and capacitors are used for energy storage and signal processing, rather than current limitation.

Therefore, the circuit breaker is the ideal choice for limiting current and ensuring safety within electrical installations.