What is the primary purpose of a current limiter in electrical circuits?

The primary purpose of a current limiter in electrical circuits is to allow safe temporary overload conditions. This device is designed to manage the amount of current flowing through a circuit, effectively protecting it from excessive current that could cause damage. During instances where there may be a momentary surge in current—such as during start-up of motors or other heavy loads—the current limiter allows for these brief overloads without tripping circuit breakers or causing other protective devices to activate. This capability is essential in many applications where temporary high currents are unavoidable, enabling the system to function correctly while protecting the overall infrastructure from damage.

In contrast, stabilizing voltage levels pertains more to voltage regulation devices rather than current limiters, and managing power distribution involves the overall distribution network rather than the specific task of controlling current. Preventing tripping of circuit breakers is a result of allowing temporary overloads, but the main function is the tolerance to short periods of excessive current rather than merely avoiding disconnection.