What type of electrical device protects against overload and short circuit conditions?

The device that protects against overload and short circuit conditions is a circuit breaker. A circuit breaker is designed to automatically interrupt the electrical flow when it detects an overload or a short circuit, thus preventing damage to the electrical circuit and reducing the risk of fire or equipment failure.

This mechanism involves the use of either a bimetallic strip or an electromagnetic trip mechanism that reacts quickly to abnormal current levels. When the current exceeds a certain threshold, the breaker trips, cutting off the power and allowing for safe operation without manual interventions to reset or replace components.

Fuses also provide protection against overload and short circuits; however, they operate by melting a conductive link when the current exceeds their rating, requiring replacement after a trip. While transformers and switches have their own functions related to voltage conversion and circuit control, respectively, they do not provide protection against overloads or short circuits. Therefore, the circuit breaker stands out as the most effective device for this specific protective function.