Which type of device is designed to limit the flow of electrical current?

The correct answer is an overcurrent protection device such as a fuse or breaker because these devices are specifically designed to limit the flow of electrical current in a circuit. When the current exceeds a predetermined value, either the fuse will blow or the circuit breaker will trip, thus breaking the continuity of the circuit. This action prevents excessive current from causing damage to the wiring, equipment, or leading to electrical fires, which can pose serious safety hazards.

Transformers, while essential for altering voltage levels in AC circuits, do not limit current flow but rather transfer electrical energy between circuits. Capacitors store and release electrical energy as needed, influencing current and voltage phase relationships rather than directly limiting current flow. Inductors, on the other hand, are employed to oppose changes in current and can affect how current flows through a circuit but do not inherently limit current in the same way that an overcurrent protection device does. These distinctions emphasize why an overcurrent protection device is the most appropriate choice for the question.