overload relay
Also found in: Acronyms.
overload relay
[′ō·vər‚lōd ‚rē‚lā] (electricity)
A relay that opens a circuit when the load in the circuit exceeds a preset value, in order to provide overload protection; usually responds to excessive current, but may respond to excessive values of power, temperature, or other quantities. Also known as overload release.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific & Technical Terms, 6E, Copyright © 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
overload relay
A relay in the circuit of a motor which causes the motor to be disconnected from its source of power if the current to the motor exceeds a predetermined value.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Architecture and Construction. Copyright © 2003 by McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.