What is the typical term for electrical devices that control or regulate the flow of current?

The typical term for electrical devices that control or regulate the flow of current is switches. Switches are specifically designed to open or close a circuit, thereby allowing or interrupting the flow of electrical current. When a switch is in the "on" position, it completes the circuit and enables current to flow; conversely, when it is in the "off" position, it breaks the circuit and stops the current flow. This fundamental operation makes switches essential components in a wide range of electrical and electronic systems, allowing users to control devices effectively.

Conductors, on the other hand, are materials that allow electrical current to flow through them, such as copper or aluminum wires, but they do not actively control or regulate the current. Resistors provide resistance to the flow of current and can be used to limit current or divide voltage but do not control the current flow in the on/off manner that switches do. Control circuits typically refer to more complex systems that can include various elements, including switches, but they themselves are not devices that directly control current like a switch does.