Which electrical component is primarily responsible for preventing overload in circuits?

The component that is primarily responsible for preventing overload in circuits is the fuse. A fuse is designed to protect electrical circuits from excessive current that could cause overheating or damage. It does this by containing a metal wire or strip that melts when the current exceeds a certain threshold, which breaks the circuit and stops the flow of electricity. This action effectively prevents potential hazards such as fires or equipment damage that can occur due to overload conditions.

In contrast, relays serve as switches operated by an electromagnet, allowing or interrupting the flow of current based on control signals. While relays do play a role in managing circuits, they do not independently provide protection against overloads.

Resistors are used to limit current flow and divide voltages within circuits, but they do not inherently prevent overloads; rather, they can generate heat if current levels are too high, which can lead to failures.

Capacitors store electrical energy and are often used for filtering or smoothing voltage in circuits, but they also do not serve the function of preventing overload.

Thus, the fuse stands out as the key component specifically designed for overload protection in electrical circuits.