Which safety feature is commonly used to prevent overcurrent conditions?

Fuses are a vital safety feature designed specifically to prevent overcurrent conditions in electrical circuits. They operate by melting when the current flowing through them exceeds a predetermined level, thus breaking the circuit and stopping the flow of electricity. This action helps to protect both the electrical devices connected to the circuit and the wiring itself from damage that could occur due to excessive current, which can lead to overheating, fire, or equipment failure.

Surge protectors, while useful for preventing damage from voltage spikes, do not serve the same purpose as fuses and cannot prevent overcurrent in the same way. Transformers and capacitors have different roles in electrical systems, primarily involving voltage regulation and power factor correction, rather than directly addressing overcurrent situations.