Limitador

Limitador is a term used in Spanish and Portuguese to denote a device, mechanism, or software component that imposes an upper bound on a variable to prevent it from exceeding a defined limit. Limiters are used across industries to improve safety, protect equipment, and ensure system performance.

In automotive and machinery, a limitador may refer to a speed limiter or throttle limiter, which restricts maximum vehicle speed or engine output to comply with safety standards or regulations. In electrical and electronic systems, current limiters or power limiters cap the amount of current or power to avoid overheating or damage; fuses and circuit breakers act as protective limiters.

In signal processing and audio engineering, a limiter is a dynamic-range control device that constrains the amplitude of an audio signal, preventing peaks from exceeding a set threshold to protect speakers and reduce distortion. It is commonly used in recording studios, broadcasting, and live sound.

In computing and networking, rate limiting or traffic limiting enforces a maximum rate of requests or data transfer. Implementations include token bucket and leaky bucket algorithms, as well as gateway or application-layer controls to prevent abuse, ensure fair use, and maintain service quality.

In manufacturing and process control, limiters can refer to mechanical stops, setpoints, or controllers that prevent processes from moving beyond safe operating limits. The concept also appears in measurement systems as saturation or ceiling limits.