Manufacturing Skill Standards Council (MSSC) Safety Assessment Practice Test

What type of protection do safety devices on an electric hoist include?

1. Overload protection

2. Gear reduction protection

3. Phasing protection

4. Reving protection

The correct answer is: Overload protection

Safety devices on an electric hoist include overload protection to ensure that the hoist does not lift loads that exceed its rated capacity. Overload protection systems are critical for preventing equipment failures and accidents that could occur if the hoist were to be subjected to excessive weight. This safety feature typically involves mechanisms such as sensors or limit switches that can detect when a load exceeds safe limits and will either stop the operation of the hoist or prevent it from lifting until the issue is resolved. In contrast, while gear reduction and phasing protections may be important in some contexts, they do not specifically address the critical safety concern of managing load capacities in electric hoists, which is the primary function of overload protection. Similarly, reving protection could refer to controls over speed, which is not the main focus of standard safety devices on electric hoists. Thus, the correct choice highlights a fundamental safety mechanism essential in preventing overload situations that could lead to accidents or damage to the hoist or its surroundings.