What is an overload in electrical equipment operation?

An overload in the context of electrical equipment refers to a situation where the equipment is subjected to a current that exceeds its designed capacity for a substantial duration. This persistent operation above normal operating conditions can lead to overheating, equipment damage, or potentially dangerous situations such as fire hazards.

When equipment operates under overload conditions, it means that more current is flowing through the system than it was designed to handle continuously. This can result from various scenarios, such as connecting too many devices to a circuit or malfunctioning equipment that draws excessive current. The heating generated by the excess current can deteriorate insulation, components, and overall functionality, making this a critical condition to monitor and address in electrical systems.

The other options do not encapsulate the concept of overload accurately. For instance, operating equipment within normal specifications does not relate to overload conditions at all, while temporary current surges, although significant, do not imply continuous excessive use that characterizes an overload. Regulated current by a transformer pertains to safe voltage adjustment rather than an overload scenario, which involves exceeding the equipment's limits.