What is the German equivalent of 'circuit breaker'?

The appropriate term for 'circuit breaker' in German is 'Schutzschalter.' This is because 'Schutzschalter' directly translates to 'protective switch,' which reflects the function of a circuit breaker in electrical systems. A circuit breaker is designed to automatically interrupt the flow of electricity when an overload or fault occurs, thus providing protection to electrical circuits and preventing damage.

In contrast, the other choices do not accurately represent the concept of a circuit breaker. 'Buchse' refers to a socket or connector, which does not imply any protective function. 'Bolzen' translates to 'bolt,' a hardware component that lacks any relation to electrical circuitry or safety. 'Massekabel' means 'ground cable,' which serves a different purpose in electrical systems, specifically for grounding rather than interrupting electrical current flow. Therefore, 'Schutzschalter' is the correct term that accurately describes 'circuit breaker' in the context of electrical safety and function.