Which of the following accurately describes overload protection?

Overload protection is fundamentally designed to prevent a motor from drawing excessive current, which can lead to overheating and potential damage. When a motor is subjected to a load that exceeds its designed capacity, it may draw more current than it is rated for. This elevated current can cause the winding insulation to deteriorate, leading to short circuits or complete failure of the motor.

Overload protection devices, such as thermal overload relays or circuit breakers, monitor the current flowing through the motor and will trip or disconnect the power when it exceeds a specified threshold for a certain duration. This helps ensure that the motor operates safely within its defined ratings, prolonging its lifespan and maintaining operational efficiency.

Other options, although related to electrical protection in some context, do not pertain specifically to overload conditions. Voltage surges relate to transient increases in voltage which can damage equipment, while excessive torque generally concerns mechanical stresses rather than electrical parameters. Electrical noise involves unwanted disturbances in the electrical signal, which can affect performance but does not directly relate to the concept of protecting against overload conditions.