What type of device is typically used for motor protection from overcurrent?

Motor protection from overcurrent is accomplished effectively through a motor starter that includes overload relay protection. This setup is designed specifically to monitor the current flowing to the motor. When an excessive amount of current is detected, which may indicate conditions such as a stalled motor or mechanical overload, the overload relay will activate to disconnect the power supply, thus protecting the motor from damage due to overheating or failure.

This approach offers several advantages: it not only provides a quick response to overcurrent conditions, but it also helps in minimizing downtime by incorporating additional functionalities, such as starting and stopping the motor and safety features that can be configured according to the application.

In contrast, while fuses can protect electrical circuits by interrupting the flow of current during an overcurrent situation, they do not provide the same level of operational control or automatic reset as a motor starter with overload protections. Variable frequency drives (VFDs), on the other hand, control motor speed and ensure efficiency but are not primarily designed for overcurrent protection. Contactors are switches used to control the power but also do not include the necessary overload monitoring features needed for protecting motors specifically.