What happens if a circuit breaker trips?

When a circuit breaker trips, it interrupts the flow of current to prevent overloads and potential electrical hazards. This mechanism is a safety feature designed to protect the wiring and appliances connected to the circuit from excessive current that could lead to overheating, fires, or damage.

Circuit breakers are designed to detect abnormal current flow, such as when a fault occurs, and they react by switching off the circuit. This is a critical safety measure in electrical installations, ensuring that excess current does not cause harm.

In the context of the other choices, they do not accurately describe the function of a circuit breaker. A circuit breaker does not allow the circuit to operate at reduced power, nor does the current take a bypass route, which could lead to dangerous situations. Additionally, circuit breakers do not require complete rewiring of the circuit; instead, once the issue is resolved, they can simply be reset to restore power.