How is an electric motor's performance affected by increased load?

When an electric motor encounters an increased load, it generally experiences a drop in efficiency. This happens because as the load on the motor increases, more electrical energy is required to maintain the same level of output. Consequently, the motor must work harder to produce the additional torque needed to overcome the load.

As the motor operates under higher load conditions, it may also generate more heat and have increased losses due to factors like increased friction in the components and heating in the windings. These losses translate into a lower efficiency since a portion of the input energy is lost instead of being transformed into useful mechanical work. Instead of increasing performance, the added demand can lead to increased power consumption while simultaneously decreasing the overall effectiveness of energy use.

It’s important to note that under certain optimal operating conditions, motors can handle loads better without a significant efficiency loss; however, once the load exceeds the motor's designed capacity, the efficiency will typically decrease.