What device is commonly used on mechanical equipment to prevent overloading?

The shear pin is a critical safety device commonly used in mechanical systems to prevent overloading. It is designed to fail when a specified load or torque is exceeded, effectively protecting larger components such as gears, motors, or shafts from damage caused by excessive forces. In applications where sudden overloads may occur, the shear pin serves as a sacrificial mechanism that breaks under stress, thereby isolating and saving the more expensive or vital machinery from harm.

While clutch plates, ball bearings, and flywheels are essential components in various mechanical systems, they do not specifically serve the primary role of preventing overloading in the same manner as a shear pin. Clutch plates are used to engage and disengage power transmission, ball bearings reduce friction, and flywheels help maintain momentum. However, they do not provide the same protective function against overload situations that the shear pin effectively does.