Contactors

What are contactors?

The contactor is a control device with two stable positions (on and off), the drive of which is automatic (pneumatic, hydraulic, electromagnetic). Electromagnetic contactors are the most common. Contactors are devices whose main purpose is to turn on, pass and turn off the currents of electrical circuits and devices under normal conditions and current loads. The most common are electromagnetic contactors, the construction of which consists of main and auxiliary contacts, a coil, a housing, a magnet wire and an arc extinguishing system. Nowadays, there is a rich and diverse range of contactor types available on the market, each of which has its own characteristics and distinctive characteristics.

Learn more

Below you will learn which are the main series of contactors available in the ENEXT online store and how they differ from each other. In addition, you will find useful information about the nature of contactors as a product category and the accessories with which you could increase their efficiency. The main components of the contactor are the coil, main and auxiliary contacts, housing, magnet wire and arc extinguishing system. The electromagnetic system of the contactor is formed by the coil and the magnet wire. Contactors have a main, power and auxiliary control circuit, and it is possible that there are no auxiliary contacts or arcing chambers when the current is less. Contactors for direct current and for alternating current have differences in their construction.

Контактори1 | Енекст България — Contactor e.industrial.ukc.75.380, 75A, 380V, 3P, 1no+1nc

Principle of operation of contactors

When an electric current flows in the coil, a magnetic flux is excited, which is closed through the magnet wire and the armature. As a result, an electromagnetic force is created that tends to move the armature in such a way as to reduce the total path length of the magnetic flux. The electromagnetic force overcomes the forces of the springs keeping the armature in the initial position and moves it until it hits the stop or pole of the stationary part of the magnet wire. When the armature moves, the movable contacts of the contact system are also moved.

Контактори2 | Енекст България — Contactor e.pro.ukc.2.25.230.1NC 25A, 230V, 1NC

Contactors - basic terms

There are several basic terms that you should be aware of in order to better understand the working mechanism of contactors, as well as to make an adequate choice of products in this category. The contactor system consists of movable and fixed contacts. The difference between the two groups is that the movable contacts are connected to the armature, to which they owe their actuation process. The individual contacts in the contactor can also be normally open and normally closed. The latter classification is based on their starting state (or the state they are in when there is no current in the contactor coil).

Контактори3 | Енекст България — Contactor e.industrial.ukc.85.380, 85A, 380V, 1no+1nc

Features and parameters of contactors

We continue with the most important characteristics and parameters that it would be useful for you to know about contactors. Here's a little more info on the parameters:

- rated current measured in amperes (A)
- nominal coil voltage at 50/60Hz (V AC)
- mechanical and electrical wear resistance (or how long is the life of the contactor mechanism, measured in number of switching cycles).
- supply voltage and power consumed by the coil of the driving electromagnet.
- mode of operation (mostly the frequency and duration of switching on are taken into account).
Mass marketed contactors are three-pole. However, some manufacturers also include single-pole, two-pole and four-pole contactors in their product ranges. As for the nominal current, which in practice is one of the main criteria for choosing a contactor, it has certain values that are respected by almost all manufacturers. In general, the most common contactors on the market can be found with rated current values from 6 A to 800 A and with coil voltages from 12 V to 400 V. Contactors with a smaller or larger rated current are produce only and only after placing orders for them.

Контактори4 | Енекст България — Contactors-Shunts e.industrial.ac.50 to contactor e.industrial.ukc.85

Contactor series in the Enext online store

Contactors e.pro.ukc - Contactors and thermal relays with used
auxiliary elements - are used in low voltage circuits with
electric drive for: starting, stopping and reversing three-phase
asynchronous electric motors with a short-circuited rotor, as well as for
control of lighting circuits, active and weakly inductive loads.
The main characteristic elements of the new line of equipment are the combination
consistently good quality, the wide range and the competitive price of the products.
The products fully meet the norms and requirements of the standards of Bulgaria and
of the European Union.
MAIN CHARACTERISTICS OF e.pro.ukc CONTACTORS:

Rated current Ie, A: 9, 12, 18, 25, 32, 40, 50, 65, 80, 95;
Number of poles: 3;
Nominal voltage of the control coil Uc, V: ≈ 24, 36, 110, 230, 400;
Nominal operating voltage Ue, V: ≈ 400 (660);
Nominal frequency, Hz: 50;
Application Category: AC-3;
Insulation voltage Ui, V: 690;
Degree of protection: IP20;
Mounting: on a 35 mm DIN rail, on a mounting panel.

Contactors e.industrial.ukc. – Contactors are intended for use in low voltage electric drive control circuits as well as circuit control
lighting, active, weakly inductive and capacitive load. The main characteristic elements of the new line of equipment are the combination of consistently good quality, the wide range and the competitive price of the products. The products fully comply with the norms and requirements of the standards of Bulgaria and the European Union.
KEY FEATURES OF CONTACTORS e.industrial.ukc. :

Rated current Ie, A:6, 9, 12, 18, 25, 32, 40, 50, 65, 76, 85, 100, 120, 150, 180, 220, 330, 400;
Number of poles: 3;
Nominal voltage of the control coil Uc, V: ≈ 230, 400, 660;
Nominal operating voltage Ue, V: ≈ 400 (660);
Nominal frequency, Hz: 50;
Application Category: AC-3;
Insulation voltage Ui, V: 690;
Degree of protection: IP20;
Mounting: On mounting panel.

Контактори5 | Енекст България — Contactor e.industrial.ukc.400.220, 400A, 220V, no

Modular contactors from the e.mc series
The modular contactor is designed for commutation of single-phase and three-phase electrical consumers with low power. They guarantee complete silence during operation and are placed on a mounting DIN rail. The most commonly offered modular contactors are rated from 20 A to 100 A. Their functions are related to turning on and off consumers, creating control systems, reliably turning on or separating power contacts. Their commutation is carried out with flexible wires with or without a cable end, and with rigid wires. Modular contactors do not deform under the influence of UV rays or large temperature amplitudes, and are made of materials that are non-combustible.

Additional installation for the contactors

Enext has a large range of additional equipment for contactors, such as:
• Reverse blocks;
• Additional contacts for contactors;
• Control coils;
• Contactor reversing device.
e.industrial.au Auxiliary Contacts are designed to increase the auxiliary contact on groups of contactors when used in automatic backup, reverse, motor etc input circuits.

Контактори6 | Енекст България — Contactors - Additional contact e.industrial.au.4.04, 4nc

Shunts e.industrial.as are designed to limit starting currents at switching capacitors in reactive power compensation circuits.
Reverse blocks e.industrial.ar Mechanical blocking (reverse block) are designed for mutual blocking of contactors from simultaneous switching on in reversing schemes, starting the motor, "star-delta", automatic introduction of reserve, etc.
In the Ennext online store, you will find contactors from different series, as well as their accessories and accessories, which will meet all your needs and requirements.

What are contactors?
Principle of operation of contactors
Contactors basic terms
Features and parameters of contactors
Contactor series in the Ennext online store
Additional installation for the contactors