Can a general purpose branch circuit supply both lighting and appliances?

A general purpose branch circuit can indeed supply both lighting and appliances, which is why this answer is correct. In most residential and commercial wiring configurations, general purpose circuits are designed to provide flexible power sources that can accommodate a variety of loads, including lighting fixtures as well as general-purpose appliances.

In the National Electrical Code (NEC), there are provisions that allow for combining these types of loads on a single circuit, provided that the circuit is adequately rated to handle the total load demand. This means that when planning the circuit, an electrician must ensure that the sum of the wattages for all devices does not exceed the circuit's capacity, typically 15 or 20 amperes.

Other options mentioned do not align with standard practices. For example, the idea of needing separate fuses for appliances and lighting implies an unnecessary complication for general purpose circuits, which is typically built to manage mixed loads efficiently. Additionally, claiming that combining them is outright prohibited contradicts widely accepted electrical principles, asserting a flexibility that appropriately accommodates modern electrical needs. Lastly, suggesting that only lighting circuits can be used limits the versatility of circuits, which contradicts the very design of general purpose circuits that are meant to handle a range of applications.