What type of load can a single-phase motor typically drive?

Single-phase motors are designed primarily to handle light to moderate loads, making them ideal for use in home appliances and similar applications. These motors typically operate effectively in scenarios such as running fans, compressors, and various household devices, where the demand for power is not excessively high.

The ability to drive light to moderate loads is due to the nature of single-phase motors, which generally provide sufficient torque and power for everyday tasks without the complexity or expense associated with three-phase motors. This makes them particularly suitable for residential and light commercial use, where three-phase power supply is often not available or necessary.

In contrast, heavy industrial machinery typically requires larger power outputs and more complex motor systems that can better handle the associated loads, which is why single-phase motors are not ideal in those settings. The other choices suggest conditions that are outside the common applications for single-phase motors, reinforcing why option C is the most accurate representation of the loads single-phase motors typically drive.