What is the primary purpose of a circuit breaker?

A circuit breaker is designed primarily to protect electrical circuits from damage caused by overloads or short circuits by automatically interrupting the flow of electricity. When the current exceeds a predetermined limit, indicating that the system is overloaded or there is an electrical fault, the circuit breaker trips. This action stops the electricity flow, thereby preventing potential hazards such as electrical fires, equipment damage, or even electric shock to users.

This function of automatically stopping electricity flow is crucial for maintaining safety in electrical systems, ensuring that components do not suffer damage from excessive current. Other options presented do not align with the fundamental role of a circuit breaker. Enhancing electrical flow or measuring energy consumption are tasks associated with other electrical devices and systems, while converting DC to AC refers to the function of inverters, which is unrelated to the protective function of circuit breakers.