What are typically employed as overcurrent protection devices in appliances?

Overcurrent protection devices are critical components in electrical systems, serving to protect circuits from excessive current that could lead to overheating or damage. Fuses and circuit breakers are commonly utilized for this purpose.

Fuses function by melting and breaking the circuit when the current exceeds a predetermined limit, effectively stopping the flow of electricity to prevent potential hazards such as fire. Circuit breakers, on the other hand, are designed to automatically interrupt the circuit under overload conditions, allowing for easy reset after the fault has been cleared. Both devices are specifically engineered to react swiftly to overcurrent situations, ensuring the safety and integrity of the appliances and the overall electrical system.

The other options listed, such as resistors and capacitors, play roles in managing voltage and current within circuits but are not designed to act as overcurrent protection. Switches and circuits are fundamental components of electrical systems, but they do not provide protection against overcurrent by themselves. Transformers and inverters serve different purposes, mainly in voltage conversion and power conditioning, rather than protecting against overcurrent.