How should a belt be tensioned to avoid slipping?

A belt should be tensioned fast enough to not slip under peak load because proper tensioning is essential for ensuring effective power transmission between pulleys. When a belt is under the right amount of tension, it maintains sufficient grip on the pulleys, preventing slippage, especially during peak load conditions when the demand for torque may exceed normal operating levels.

Tensioning the belt too loosely can lead to slippage, which reduces overall efficiency and can cause premature wear on both the belt and the pulleys. On the other hand, tensioning it too tightly, while preventing slippage, can lead to excessive wear and even breakage of the belt or damage to the driving components, thus making the idea of tensioning it just enough to avoid slipping during peak loads the most balanced and effective approach.

The other choices do not represent optimal practices for belt tensioning. For instance, tensioning a belt tight enough to break is clearly impractical and dangerous due to the risk of damaging equipment and causing safety hazards. Tensioning a belt as loose as possible could lead to significant slippage and reduced performance. Finally, while the width of the belt may influence its load-bearing capacity, it does not directly dictate how the belt should be tensioned to prevent sl