On Monday, November 3, 2014 11:19:48 PM UTC-5, Martin Eastburn wrote:
In days gone by in line resistive units were inserted and when they
heated up, a bi-metal by-pass switch shorted it out. Current flowing
in the bi-metal (once tripped) kept it closed. Cut the current and the
bi-metal cools and the process starts all over. The IR drop limits the
current and also lowers the input voltage to the unit powering up.

AFAIC, that device is called a breaker or a fuse and should be required in every form of circuitry over 5mA (milliamps). In a residential situation, if have you a 60 amp breaker, you can do a lot right from your own house without a short.