What type of protection must be in place for a circuit supplying appliances with varying current limits?

Overcurrent protection is essential for circuits that supply appliances with varying current limits because it safeguards the circuit and connected devices from excessive current that can lead to overheating or damage. This type of protection typically includes circuit breakers or fuses, which disconnect the circuit when the current exceeds a predetermined threshold.

In circuits with devices that draw different amounts of current, overcurrent protection ensures that if one appliance experiences a fault or draws too much current, the protection device will trip, preventing potential fire hazards or equipment failure. This is crucial in maintaining safety in electrical installations, especially when appliances are used consecutively or simultaneously and their combined load could exceed circuit ratings.

While voltage regulators help maintain a consistent voltage level and short-circuit protection addresses faults that cause a direct path for current, these measures do not specifically manage the varying current demands of connected devices. Surge protection, on the other hand, is designed to protect against voltage spikes rather than current variations, making overcurrent protection the appropriate choice for the scenario described.