A listed appliance with a 16 AWG flexible power cord and a maximum rating of 15 A is protected by what type of circuit breaker?

The appropriate circuit breaker for a listed appliance that uses a 16 AWG flexible power cord and has a maximum rating of 15 A is a 15-amp breaker. Circuit breakers are designed to protect the wiring and devices on a circuit by preventing excessive current flow that could lead to overheating or electrical fires.

In this case, since the appliance is rated for a maximum of 15 A, a circuit breaker with the same rating (15 A) provides suitable overcurrent protection. This ensures that if the appliance tries to draw more than its rated current, the breaker will trip and disconnect the power, thus protecting both the appliance and the wiring from potential damage.

Using a circuit breaker rated higher than 15 A, such as 20 A or 25 A, would not provide adequate protection for the appliance, as the breaker might allow too much current to flow before tripping, potentially leading to overheating of the 16 AWG cord used with the appliance.