What action should a controller take when there is a potential sector overload?

When faced with a potential sector overload, notifying appropriate personnel is the most effective action a controller can take. This action ensures that the situation is communicated to additional resources who can provide support, such as supervisory staff or adjacent sectors. Such communication is vital for enhancing safety and managing air traffic efficiently during periods of high demand.

By informing others of the potential overload, controllers enable a coordinated response that may involve redistributing traffic, adjusting workloads, or implementing other operational strategies to prevent safety risks related to congestion. This proactive communication helps maintain operational efficiency and safety, especially in busy air traffic environments.

The other options, while they might seem like solutions in the moment, do not directly address the immediate need for collaboration and expertise in managing air traffic flow and resources effectively during challenging conditions.