What does a pressure relief valve protect against?

A pressure relief valve is designed specifically to protect systems from overpressure conditions. When pressure within a system exceeds a predefined safe limit, the valve automatically opens to release excess pressure, thereby preventing potential damage or catastrophic failures that could occur from excessive force exerted on pipes, tanks, or other components. This mechanism ensures operational safety and integrity of pneumatic systems by maintaining pressure within safe operational parameters.

In contrast, the other options relate to different types of issues that a pressure relief valve does not address. Dust accumulation can clog systems, electrical overload pertains to circuits, and excessive moisture can lead to corrosion or operational inefficiencies. However, none of these conditions are directly managed by a pressure relief valve, emphasizing its critical role in safeguarding against overpressure specifically.