Contactor types

What are the different types of contactors? What is the difference between a contactor and a motor starter? How to replace a contactor? Apart from optional auxiliary low-current contacts, contactors are almost exclusively fitted with normally open (form A) contacts.

Unlike relays, contactors are designed with features to control and suppress the arc produced when interrupting heavy motor currents. Contactors come in many forms with varying capacities and features.

The three categories differ in the type of work each electrician performs. Many construction projects require the work of all three types of electrical contractors. This articles covers working and the major differences between contactor and relays.

Generally, coil voltages are 250V or below. IEC Utilization Categories. IEC uses utilization categories, or “codes”, to describe specifically the type of electrical load and duty cycle of the load(s). AC-5a: These type of contactor is used in discharge lamps such as mercury vapor and sodium vapor lamps and Auxiliary Control circuit.

AC-5b: Switching of incandescent lamps.

AC-6b : These type of contactor is used in capacitor banks switching. AC-7a: Small Inductive loads on house hold such as TV, mixers, drilling machine etc. Types of contactor products are most popular in United States, Philippines, and Mexico. We provide energy-efficient solutions that help our customers effectively manage electrical, hydraulic and mechanical power more efficiently, safely and sustainably.

Standard type magnetic contactor, magnetic starter: SC and SW series. The SC series is a range of long service-life and high-performance contactors. SC-to SC-Nsmallframe contactors provide snap-on fitting of numerous optional units, such as auxiliary contact blocks, coil surge suppressors, and operation counters.

The amperage rating is the amount of current the silver alloy contact uses to safely carry and transmit the electrical power without causing damage to the contactors or electrical wiring. When selecting contactors, you'll use one of two common standards: NEMA or IEC. Magnetic Contactor Types.

The NEMA selection process always in a choice of a contactor you can use over a broad range of operating conditions. Shown here is a contactor for a three-phase electric motor, installed on a panel as part of an electrical control system at a municipal water treatment plant: Three-phase, 4volt AC power comes into the three normally-open contacts at the top of the contactor via screw terminals labeled “L” “L” and “L3”. The contacts along with the electromagnet are enclosed in a frame made up of insulating materials.

The correct contactor type and capacity bridges the gap between direct power sources and high-load electrical lights, heaters and motors, balancing out changes in electrical frequency and cutting the current in the event of a malfunction or overload. Grainger carries a wide range of reversing and non-reversing contactors. Type S starters are easy to customize and provide. By Hubbell Industrial Controls.

A contactor is a heavy-duty relay with higher current ratings, used for switching electric motors and lighting loads.

Continuous current ratings for common contactors range from amps to several hundred amps. High-current contacts are made with alloys containing silver.