Which component requires overcurrent protection?

Which component requires overcurrent protection?

• A. Motor-operated equipment and transformers
• B. Lighting fixtures
• C. Receptacles in a dwelling
• D. Door operators

Answer: (A)

Overcurrent protection is installed to interrupt excessive current that can overheat conductors and damage equipment. Motor-operated equipment and transformers are the types of devices that routinely draw large or fault currents, especially during startup or a fault, so they must have protective devices sized to stop those currents and protect the wiring and device windings. This is why they explicitly require overcurrent protection under the code. Lighting fixtures and receptacles, while still protected, are typically safeguarded by the branch-circuit overcurrent device rather than needing a separate protective device built into or dedicated to the device itself. Door operators are motorized and fall under the motor-operated category, but the clear, explicit requirement is for motor-operated equipment and transformers, making them the best answer.

Overcurrent protection is installed to interrupt excessive current that can overheat conductors and damage equipment. Motor-operated equipment and transformers are the types of devices that routinely draw large or fault currents, especially during startup or a fault, so they must have protective devices sized to stop those currents and protect the wiring and device windings. This is why they explicitly require overcurrent protection under the code.

Lighting fixtures and receptacles, while still protected, are typically safeguarded by the branch-circuit overcurrent device rather than needing a separate protective device built into or dedicated to the device itself. Door operators are motorized and fall under the motor-operated category, but the clear, explicit requirement is for motor-operated equipment and transformers, making them the best answer.