overload
OH-ver-lohd
/ˌoʊvərˈloʊd/
A condition where current demand exceeds the designed safe capacity of a circuit or device.
Differs from a sudden short circuit; an overload occurs gradually as excessive equipment draws current.
The story behind the word. Combines Old English 'ofer' (excessive) and 'lad' (carriage or weight). Adopted into electrical terminology in late Victorian times when steam generators were pushed beyond rated output limits.
Word relationships
- overcurrent: Overcurrent covers both overloads and short circuits; overload is specifically draw exceeding rating.
- surcharge: Surcharge applies to financial or structural burdens, not electrical current load.
- underload: Underload occurs when operating far below continuous designed safe capacity.
Commonly confused with
- ampacity: Ampacity is the maximum safe limit; overload is the condition of breaking that limit.
Word family
- overloaded (adjective): Carrying excess load beyond safe capacity limits.
Collocations
- thermal overload
- circuit overload
- overload protection
- overload relay
Idioms & expressions
- information overload (being overwhelmed by too much data)
Example sentences
- "Running three industrial vacuums on a single power tap created a continuous overload, tripping the main panel." Facility Maintenance
- "Thermal sensors protect electric motors from an overload before heat destroys internal wire insulation." Contracting Code
Memory hook
OVER-LOAD is placing OVER the safe LOAD onto a line. Drawing more current than a circuit can handle.
When not to use
Do not confuse emotional overload (stress) with physical electrical overload on power circuits.
Fun facts
- Holiday light strands often include tiny fuses in their plugs to prevent Christmas tree electrical overloads.
Explore more words
overweight, overcrowding, congestion, overflow, fuse, outage
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