What happens to a motor if it continues to attempt to start but is unable to reach the rated speed?

When a motor continues to attempt to start but fails to reach its rated speed, it is essentially stuck in a state where it is drawing significant current without achieving the performance it is designed for. This condition leads to prolonged periods of high current, as the motor's starting mechanisms try to overcome the inertia of the load.

As a result of the continuous high current draw, the motor generates excess heat due to the resistance encountered in its windings and other components. Without sufficient cooling or any means to reduce this heat generation, the temperature inside the motor may rise to levels that can damage the insulation and other structural components. If this situation persists without corrective action, the risk of overheating can lead not only to a loss of functionality but potentially to complete failure of the motor.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately reflect the implications of a motor not reaching its rated speed. A motor cannot operate at full load if it fails to start properly; it would not maintain a consistent current draw because the current fluctuates in response to its starting attempts, and it does not reset automatically unless there are built-in protection mechanisms which would typically still require a manual reset. The fundamental concern in this scenario is overheating due to the lack of movement and the continuous high current draw