What feature allows a capacitor to be discharged in five minutes?

The correct choice is related to the internal discharge resistor found in some capacitors. This feature is designed to provide a safe pathway for the stored energy within the capacitor to dissipate over a set period, such as five minutes. The presence of an internal discharge resistor ensures that once the capacitor is disconnected from the circuit, it does not retain its charge for an extended period, which could pose a risk to safety if an individual were to accidentally contact the terminals.

By integrating this internal discharge resistor, manufacturers can make the capacitor more user-friendly and safer to handle, minimizing the potential hazards associated with high voltage or stored energy. The specific choice of a five-minute discharge time is often a design consideration that aligns with safety standards and operational requirements, allowing for a predictable and manageable discharge process.

Other options like internal protection circuits, external resistors, or capacitor overload protection do not specifically address the controlled and timely release of stored energy in the manner that an internal discharge resistor does, which is crucial for ensuring safety and usability in various applications.