HOLT Electricians Practice Exam 2025 - Free Electrician Certification Practice Questions and Study Guide

The required overload device size for motors rated more than 1 horsepower without integral thermal protection is determined by the motor nameplate rating. This rating provides critical information regarding the motor’s performance specifications, including its full-load amperage (FLA) and horsepower range. The overload device must be sized appropriately to protect the motor from overheating and potential damage due to excessive current draw, which can occur during normal operation or in fault conditions. By using the motor nameplate rating for the overload device size, you ensure that the protection mechanism is tailored to the motor's designed capacity, providing effective safeguarding without leading to nuisance tripping.

While the current draw of the motor reflects its operational consumption of electricity, it's essentially derived from the nameplate rating, making it less direct as a stand-alone measure. The voltage rating of the motor pertains to the electrical specification for the power supply and does not directly relate to the sizing of overload protection. Similarly, the service factor indicates the motor's ability to handle occasional overloads and is not a factor for determining the size of the overload protection device itself.