Bennett Mechanical Comprehension Practice Test 2026 – The Complete All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

The component that can break an electrical circuit, interrupting the current or diverting it from one conductor to another, is a switch. A switch is designed to control the flow of electricity by opening (breaking the circuit) or closing (completing the circuit) the path of current. When a switch is open, it creates a gap in the circuit that prevents current from flowing, effectively interrupting the circuit. When the switch is closed, it allows current to flow through the circuit normally.

In contrast, a transformer is primarily used to change the voltage of electrical energy and does not interrupt the flow of current itself; an inductor stores energy in a magnetic field and influences current flow based on its inductance but does not act as an on/off device; and a diode allows current to flow in one direction only, but it does not work as a switch to open or close a circuit. Therefore, the switch is the only component among the choices that directly serves the purpose of breaking or diverting an electrical circuit.