A conveyor motor may stop due to overload caused by

• A. Under-tensioned belt
• B. Over-tensioned conveyor belt
• C. Low ambient temperature
• D. Worn idlers causing misalignment

Answer: (B)

Excess belt tension increases the resistance the motor must overcome to move the belt and the loaded system. When the belt is over-tensioned, the drive has to deliver more torque, which makes the motor draw more current. That added load can push the motor toward or into its overload limit, causing it to stop to protect itself.

If the belt were too loose, it would tend to slip on the drive pulley, reducing actual transmitted torque rather than causing an overload condition. Low ambient temperature might affect starting or efficiency but isn’t the direct cause of overload. Worn idlers and misalignment add friction and tracking issues, increasing effort somewhat, but the most immediate cause of overload is the extra resistance from an over-tensioned belt.