What is meant by an overload in an electrical circuit?

An overload in an electrical circuit refers to a situation where the power demands exceed the capacity of the circuit. This can occur when too many devices are connected to a single circuit or when devices that draw a high amount of current are operated simultaneously on that circuit. When this happens, the wires carrying the current can overheat, which poses a risk of insulation damage and potential electrical fires.

Understanding how power requirements and circuit capacity interact is crucial for preventing overloads. Each electrical circuit is designed to handle a certain amount of current safely. Exceeding this limit can lead to circuit breakage or failure, as protective devices such as circuit breakers or fuses are designed to interrupt the circuit when excess current is detected to prevent further hazards.

The other options do not accurately capture the concept of an overload. A circuit functioning normally indicates that power demands are within capacity, while having too low of a voltage does not result in an overload but may lead to operational issues for connected devices. Unusually high resistance can also lead to problems such as voltage drops but does not encapsulate the idea of exceeding circuit capacity.