What can occur if a motor is overloaded?

When a motor is overloaded, it means that it is being asked to provide more power than it is rated for. This excess demand leads to an increase in current flow through the motor windings, which generates additional heat due to the increased resistance in the electrical components. If this condition persists without adequate measures to reduce the load or dissipate the heat, the motor can reach temperatures that exceed its maximum design limits.

Once the motor overheats, it can lead to insulation failure, resulting in short circuits and potentially catastrophic damage to the motor. This is why the correct response highlights the risk of overheating and failure as a consequence of overloading the motor.

While higher efficiency and reduced power consumption are desirable attributes in motor operation, they are typically not associated with conditions of overload. In fact, an overloaded motor generally operates at lower efficiency as it struggles to meet the demands placed on it, which leads to increased energy consumption rather than a reduction. Lastly, motors can sometimes start under overload conditions, depending on the severity of the overload and the motor’s design; thus, stating that a motor will not start at all is not guaranteed.