What are two components commonly used to protect an electrical circuit?

Fuses and circuit breakers are essential components used to protect electrical circuits from overloads and short circuits. A fuse is a protective device that operates on the principle of melting a metal strip or wire when the current exceeds a certain threshold, thereby interrupting the circuit and preventing damage to the connected components. Once a fuse blows, it must be replaced to restore circuit functionality.

Circuit breakers, on the other hand, are electromechanical devices that automatically switch off the circuit when they detect excessive current. Unlike fuses, which can be one-time use, circuit breakers can be reset after tripping, making them a more convenient option for ongoing protection.

While diodes can serve protective functions such as preventing reverse current flow and resistors limit current, they do not primarily serve as circuit protection devices like fuses and circuit breakers do. Therefore, the focus on the circuit protection role makes fuses and circuit breakers the correct components in this context.