What kinds of devices are typically used for overcurrent protection?

Overcurrent protection is an essential safety feature in electrical systems that helps prevent damage due to excessive current flow. The correct response highlights fuses and circuit breakers as the primary devices employed for this purpose.

Fuses work by providing a sacrificial element that melts when the current exceeds a predetermined level, thereby interrupting the circuit and protecting the entire system from potential damage or fire hazards due to overheating. Circuit breakers serve a similar function but can be reset after tripping. They detect excess current flow and interrupt the circuit immediately, allowing for easy restoration of the electrical supply without physical replacement.

The other options include devices that do not function specifically for overcurrent protection. Voltage regulators and transformers are primarily used to adjust and stabilize voltage levels within a circuit. Surge protectors and grounding rods serve to protect against voltage spikes and provide a safe path for excess electricity, respectively, but they do not address the issue of overcurrent. Power strips and extension cords are used to extend electrical connections and outlets but lack mechanisms for protecting the circuit from overload or overcurrent situations.

Thus, the role of fuses and circuit breakers in interrupting excessive current flow is critical for maintaining system integrity and safety.