Which type of circuit breaker can protect against overload and short circuits?

A standard circuit breaker is designed to provide protection against both overloads and short circuits in electrical circuits. When an overload occurs—due to too many devices drawing power on a single circuit—the standard breaker will trip, cutting off the electrical supply to prevent overheating and potential fire hazards. Similarly, in the case of a short circuit, which occurs when there is an unintended path of low resistance in the circuit, the breaker detects the sudden surge of current and trips to protect the wiring and devices connected to the circuit.

Understanding that standard circuit breakers are specifically engineered for these protective functions is important. Ground fault circuit interrupters are designed primarily to protect against ground faults, while Residual Current Devices (RCDs) focus on detecting imbalances in electrical flow. Smart circuit breakers, although they may offer advanced monitoring and control features, still fundamentally operate like standard breakers for overload and short circuit protection.