Are circuit breakers considered time delay overload devices?

Circuit breakers are indeed considered time delay overload devices because they are designed with a mechanism that allows them to handle temporary overload conditions without tripping immediately. This feature is essential for protecting electrical circuits from damage due to overcurrent situations that may occur during normal operation, such as when electrical motors start up. The time delay allows a momentary spike in current—often seen with inductive loads during startup—to pass through without shutting off the circuit, preventing unnecessary interruptions in service.

While some circuit breakers may reset immediately after a fault is cleared, they primarily offer protection through their time delay feature, allowing for short bursts of overload without triggering a breaker trip. This functionality makes them suitable for various applications, especially in commercial settings where equipment may draw higher current briefly.

In contrast, while other devices might claim constant protection or reset immediately, they lack the time delay capability that circuit breakers inherently possess, which is why they differ fundamentally in terms of protection functionality for potential overload situations.