A Detailed Guide To Know What Is A Contactor

Home A Detailed Guide To Know What Is A Contactor
06/06/2023
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When handling lighting applications, the contactor is a common word people most often come across. By 2030, the contactors market size is estimated to reach USD 0.52 billion with a CAGR of 6.30% from 2022 to 2030. Acquiring contactors from a reliable contactor manufacturer is beneficial for businesses. 

But, what is a contactor exactly? How does a contactor work? All these topics will be discussed in this guide. 

AC Contactor Box

What Is a Contactor?

Contactors are utilized with transformers and in complex machine control and several other applications. Read on to know more about the definition and purpose of a contactor in this chapter. 

Definition Of A Contactor

In simple terms, a contactor is an electrically regulated switching device that is utilized for changing electrically. They are capable of carrying large currents and turning off the contact when the coil pumps up. 

The coil or electromagnet, contacts, and enclosure are three vital parts of an electric contactor. In addition, there are various kinds of contactor devices, including magnetic contactors, knife blade switches, manual controllers, etc. 

Purpose Of A Contactor

The main purpose of a contactor is to break in or designate connections in an electrical circuit frequently under various situations. For high-voltage switching applications, contactors are generally utilized. 

What does a contactor do? When power loads have to be switched on or off quickly or very often, the contactors will be utilized. In addition to that, they are configured to turn on a circuit or cut the power supply to a circuit when switched on. How do contactors work will be explained below. 

AC Contactor Box (2)
Source: AC Contactor Box

How Does an Electrical Contactor Work?

Wondering how does an electrical contactor work? A magnetic field is usually generated when current goes through the electromagnet, and it draws the contactor’s moving core. When the metal core passes into the coil, the electromagnet coil pulls additional current till its inductance boosts. 

The moving core of the contactor pushes the moving contact, and the fixed contacts and moving contacts are held together by the force generated by the electromagnet. The circuit between the moving and fixed contacts is completed by an NC contact. 

Then the current reaches the load after going through these contacts. The magnetic force will decline when the coil becomes de-energized if the current is extracted. In addition, the magnetic force will turn to zero when the current is fully extracted and the coil becomes de-energized. 

After the coil is de-energized, the electromagnet core is moved back to its original position, and contacts are opened by the spring or gravity. The immediate on/off action of the contactors depends on their design. This chapter sums up how does a contactor work. 

AC Contactor Box (3)
Source: AC Contactor Box

What Fields Are Electrical Contactors Applied In?

The application range of electrical contactors is relatively wide as the contactors are used in a variety of different fields such as solar energy systems, lighting systems, heating and cooling systems, and many more. 

Lighting Systems

In order to deliver prominent control of huge lighting systems installations like retail stores or commercial buildings, contactors are frequently utilized. 

They are usually organized in a latching format to lessen the all-around consumption of power. Contactors make it possible to regulate numerous lighting circuits at the same time so that it is easy to control and automate lighting systems. 

Heating And Cooling Systems

Coming to the heating and cooling systems like pipes, compressors, and fans, the contactors are utilized to regulate the working of the motors of the appliances. 

To handle the high-current loads of several heating and cooling systems, such as air conditioners, electrical contactors are employed. 

Solar Energy Systems

In order to regulate the electricity flow and manage different parts, contactors are used in various solar energy systems. To detach PV arrays from the solar inverter and the grid, they are used. 

To alternate between the battery bank and solar array in solar systems with battery storage, contactors are used. Solar energy systems usually come with contactors as part of safety mechanisms. 

In case of fault situations, they can quickly detach sections and reduce the chances of electrical hazards.

Get One-Stop Solar Electrical Contactor Services From BENY

BENY is a one-stop manufacturer and supplier of electrical contactors and solar energy systems. Our experts offer consulting, product design, manufacturing, and technical support services.

High-End Components And Enclosures

For contactor and solar installations, our team uses only the best quality components and robust enclosures. BENY sources top-quality materials to manufacture contractors, related components, and other solar products.

PV Solar String Current Aggregation

At BENY, we have an expert team who focuses on solar string current aggregation. Our professionals have experience installing hundreds of solar systems across various countries. Our team will plan and execute strategic methods to enhance the current output from numerous solar strings. 

Protection Degree Of IP 65/ 66

Our products come with IP 65 or IP 66 protection features which keeps them resistant to water, dust, and various other environmental factors. Because of that, our products work well and remain safe for a long time. 

Multiple Protection Mechanisms

At BENY, we prioritize the safety of our products. Our AC contactors are UL-Certified, CE-Certified, SAA Approved, and also retain TUV certifications. 

Conclusion

To sum up, electric contactors are used in high/heavy power applications to ensure safety by switching on and off appliances. We hope this blog on how do contactors work is helpful for everyone. Ordering the highest quality electric contactors from a reputable supplier will benefit businesses by capturing the interest of buyers. 

BENY is a leading supplier of electric contactors with about 30 years of experience. Contact BENY today to order electric contactors for your business and become our distributor. We supply our products quickly to various countries. 

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