Circuit breakers are essentially

Solution (By Examveda Team)

The correct answer is Option B: arc extinguishers.
Let's break down why:

What is a circuit breaker?
A circuit breaker is a safety device in electrical systems.
Its main job is to interrupt the flow of current when a fault (like a short circuit or overload) is detected.

Why it's not the other options:
Option A: current carrying contacts called electrodes - While circuit breakers *do* have contacts that carry current, that's not their defining characteristic or primary function.
Option C: circuits to break the system - This is too general. Circuit breakers are *part* of a circuit and *cause* the circuit to break under fault conditions.
It's not that they are an entire circuit designed to break the system.
Option D: transformers to isolate the two systems - Transformers isolate circuits using electromagnetic induction. Circuit breakers break circuits physically.
These are completely different things.
Option E: any of the above - Since A, C, and D are not the primary functions, this is incorrect.

Why Option B is correct:
When a circuit breaker opens, it creates an arc (a bright, hot electrical discharge) between the separating contacts.
If this arc isn't controlled, it can damage the breaker and surrounding equipment, and potentially re-ignite the circuit.
Therefore, a crucial function of a circuit breaker is to extinguish (put out) this arc.
Circuit breakers use various methods (oil, air, vacuum, SF6 gas) to extinguish the arc quickly and safely.
So, arc extinction is essential to the operation of the circuit breaker.