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Electrical & Electronics Engineering vocabulary · Wiring, Protection and Safety

Overload

Meaning in electrical & electronics engineering, with examples

/ˈoʊvərˌloʊd/nounCore term

In electrical & electronics engineering, overload means: A condition in which a circuit, cable or machine carries more current or power than it is rated for over a period of time. Unlike a short circuit, it builds up heat gradually.

In Turkish: aşırı yük, aşırı yüklenme

How it is used

Used as a noun and a verb: a circuit is overloaded, a motor trips on overload. Engineers talk about overload protection, thermal overload relays on motors and overload capacity. Breakers react slowly to small overloads and quickly to short circuits.

Example sentences

  1. The conveyor motor tripped on overload because the belt was jammed.

  2. Running all three heaters from one socket will overload the circuit.

Common collocations

  • overload protection
  • thermal overload relay
  • trip on overload
  • overloaded circuit
  • circuit breakerAn automatic switch that opens a circuit when it detects too much current, for example from an overload or a short circuit. Unlike a fuse, it can be reset and used again.
  • fuseA safety device with a thin metal link that melts and breaks the circuit when the current is too high. Once it has blown, it has to be replaced.
  • motorA machine that converts electrical energy into mechanical rotation. Most industrial machines use three-phase induction motors, while small devices often use DC or brushless motors.
  • loadAny device or circuit that draws power from a source, such as a motor, a lamp or a heater. The word also means the amount of power or current being drawn.
  • ratingThe maximum voltage, current, power or temperature that a device is designed to handle safely in normal use, as stated by the manufacturer. Rated values appear on nameplates and in datasheets.

More terms: Wiring, Protection and Safety

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