What is the greatest danger of exceeding the rated capacity of the pump?

Exceeding the rated capacity of a pump poses significant risks, primarily because it can lead to considerable strain on the engine that powers the pump. When the pump operates beyond its designated capacity, it requires the engine to work harder to maintain performance. This can lead to overheating, potential engine failure, mechanical breakdowns, and increased wear and tear.

The engine might not be designed to handle the excessive load imposed by the pump operating at an overcapacity, which can escalate thermal and mechanical stresses beyond safe parameters. Consequently, the overheating caused by excessive demand can result in damage to internal components of the engine, leading to a loss of operational capability and safety hazards.

Additionally, operating at or above maximum capacity can cause other variables to fail or become unreliable. However, the engine is typically seen as the component most directly affected in such scenarios, as it manages the pump's operations and drives its efficiency. Therefore, in this context, the greatest danger relates to the engine's integrity and performance when the pump exceeds its rated capacity.