Which of the following statements about motor safety is true?

The statement highlighting that overcurrent protection can save the motor from damage is true because overcurrent protection devices, such as fuses or circuit breakers, are designed to detect excessive current that could cause overheating or other forms of damage to the motor. These devices act as a safeguard by interrupting the power supply when the current exceeds a predetermined limit, thus preventing catastrophic failures which could lead to costly repairs, equipment downtime, or safety hazards. Their role is crucial in maintaining the integrity and longevity of electrical motors while ensuring safe operation within the intended electrical parameters.

Other statements do not accurately reflect the necessary safety standards surrounding motors. For instance, not all motors require a separate cooling system; many are designed to operate effectively using ambient air circulation. The assertion that current must always be equal in all branches of a circuit is misleading because circuits can have varying current levels depending on the design. Lastly, while it's theoretically possible for motors to operate without safety components, doing so is highly inadvisable as it puts the equipment at risk for damage and poses potential hazards.