Red Seal Electrician Practice
Motor controlsQuestion 229 of 1506

An overload relay trips on a hot motor. Why will it not let the motor restart right away?

  1. The heaters cool at the same pace as the motor
  2. The heaters must be replaced after every single trip
  3. The heaters cool much faster than the motor
  4. The breaker must be reset at the panel first
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Correct answer: The heaters cool at the same pace as the motor

The heaters copy the heating and cooling of the motor. They stay tripped until the motor has cooled enough to start again.

Source: Lessons in Electric Circuits IV: Digital (Kuphaldt), 5.2: Contactors

Practice motor controls

Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026