A circuit breaker is an automatically operated electrical switch designed to protect an electrical circuit from damage caused by over load or short circuit.
Its basic function is to detect a fault condition and interrupt current flow. Unlike afuse, which operates once and then must be replaced, a circuit breaker can be reset (either manually or automatically) to resume normal operation.
Circuit breakers are made in varying sizes, from small devices that protect an individual household appliance up to large switch gear designed to protect high voltage circuits feeding an entire city.
