mm writes:

Low voltage will burn out a motor if the motor stalls because the
voltage is too low. In that case, instead of turning the electcity
into motion and some heat, it turns all of the current into heat.
(although I think the current flow lessens because of induced reverse
voltages, or whatever they are called. When the motor is stalled, i
think it doesn't use as much current, but all the current it does use
is turned into heat.)

No, it's the other way around. A stalled motor draws *more* current
than one operating at full load at normal speed, and that (combined with
no cooling) is what burns it out. The induced reverse voltage is what
reduces current when the motor is running.

AFAIk in practice this usually happens with compressors, but any kind
of motor which stalls is capable of doing this. I'm lucky the little
fan in my refrigerator didn't burn out when a mouse got stuck in it,
and the blades didn't turn, for about 3 weeks, but maybe even the
extra heat wasn't enough to melt anything.

On the other hand, the fan motor in your refrigerator is probably a
shaded-pole motor. These are pretty inefficient even when running, and
are often deliberately designed so they can be stalled without burning up.

Dave