Final answer:
Overload protection in motors is designed to protect the motor from sustained overcurrents, preventing overheating that could lead to damage or fire hazards. This is usually achieved using fuses or circuit breakers which interrupt the current when it exceeds safe levels.
Step-by-step explanation:
The purpose of overload protection on a motor is to protect the motor from sustained overcurrents. Overloaded conditions occur when the current exceeds the rated maximum that wires and appliances can safely handle, leading to overheating. Devices such as fuses and circuit breakers serve to prevent this by opening the circuit automatically when a sustained current exceeds safe limits. A fuse is designed to melt under excessive current, breaking the circuit and thus stopping the current flow to protect the motor and the rest of the circuit from damage due to overheating. Circuit breakers function similarly but can be reset rather than replaced after tripping.
Overload protection is essential as it not only protects the motor itself but also prevents the potential for fire hazards from occurring due to thermal hazards associated with overcurrents.