
How do I select a contactor or motor starter?
Selection of contactor and overload relay for DOL starter
- Parameters to be considered during the selection. ...
- Calculation of full load current (FLC) Power contacts of the contactor must be rated not less than the operating voltage of motor (as per nameplate details).
- Type of load and duty cycle. ...
- Utilisation categories for contactors according to IEC/EN60947-4-1
- Making and breaking capacity. ...
How do you select contactor for motor?
As per above chart:
- Type of Contactor = AC7b.
- Size of Main Contactor = 100%X Full Load Current (Line).
- Size of Main Contactor = 100%x6 = 6 Amp.
- Making/Breaking Capacity of Contactor = Value above Chart x Full Load Current (Line).
- Making/Breaking Capacity of Contactor = 8×6 = 52 Amp.
What is the difference between circuit breaker and contactor?
The difference between circuit breaker, contactor, relay? Circuit breaker: is also used in main circuit on the system, can control a single device, can control multiple devices, but is not suitable for frequent action, can make a large capacity, have protection function, when the accident to their trip; Contactor: it is to use on the main circuit system, control of a single device, such as ...
What is the difference between a relay and a contactor?
- The most compact in size and light in weight.
- A large number of contacts with high switching capacity.
- ‘Snap-fit’ arrangement of various parts.
- ‘Push-on’ type contacts for quick modification/replacement at the site.
- Very high endurance for the high frequency of operations.

What is the difference between a contactor and a motor starter quizlet?
A motor starter is equipped with an overload relay and a contactor is not. Explain the difference between clapper-type contacts and bridge contacts.
How do relays differ from contactors and motor starters?
A contactor joins 2 poles together, without a common circuit between them, while a relay has a common contact that connects to a neutral position. Additionally, contactors are commonly rated for up to 1000V, while relays are usually rated to only 250V.
How does a motor starter contactor work?
0:304:28Motor Starter Basics - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipA contactor operates much like a relay in that when electricity is applied to the coil it slams. TheMoreA contactor operates much like a relay in that when electricity is applied to the coil it slams. The contact shut allowing current to pass through providing power to our motor.
What is the difference between the motor starter and the breaker?
A circuit breaker may not trip as quickly as an overload on the starter, having this extra protection increases the life span of the motor. It is much more cost effective to replace a burned-up overload relay than it is a motor.
What is the major difference between a magnetic starter and a contactor?
A contactor applies voltage to a contactor coil to close the contacts and to supply and interrupt power to the circuit. On the other hand, a starter employs overload relays to protect the motor from load surges by shutting it down to prevent overheating.
How many contacts are on a motor starter?
More videos on YouTube They will have multiple sets of contacts, usually 3 or 4 normally open contacts or poles, and sometimes several auxiliary contacts that can be normally open or normally closed.
Why contactor is used in motor?
Why are Contactors Used? Contactors are used for high power applications. They allow a lower voltage and current to switch a much higher power circuit, so they are generally larger and more heavy-duty than control relays, enabling them to switch higher power loads on and off for many thousands of cycles (Figure 1).
What is the purpose of a motor starter?
Starters are devices that control the use of electrical power to equipment. As the name implies, starters “start” motors. They can also stop, reverse, accelerate and protect them.
What is difference between contactor and relay?
Relays are used to control contacts of an electrical circuit due to a change of parameters or conditions in the same circuit or any other associated circuit. Contactors, on the other hand, are used to interrupt or establish connections in an electrical circuit repeatedly under different conditions.
What is difference between contactor and circuit breaker?
An electronic contactor is a simple switching device, whereas the circuit breaker is a protective system. The primary function of a contactor is controlling the power. A circuit breaker does the protecting. Contactor works under normal situations.
What is the benefit of a contactor?
It does not require so much maintenance. It can operate at very low and high temperatures. It has wide application areas such as motors, heaters, lighting, etc. It has various types such as power, mini, capacitor, modular, and bar type.
Is a contactor a fuse?
Switches, circuit breakers, and contactors are used to control what parts of an electrical system are energized or de-energized. Fuses are used to protect the electrical system when something goes wrong, and can isolate the faulted parts from the normal parts.
What is a motor starter?
The term ‘motor starter’ usually refers to the complete assembly. This includes but is not limited to: the enclosure, contactor, control transformer (if any), overloads and fuses (if any). Making choices in a contactor or motor starter. Contactors and motor starters are available with either NEMA or IEC ratings.
What is contactor relay?
A contactor is really just an overgrown relay. It is but one component of a starter and is rated by voltage. The contactor applies voltage to a contactor coil to close the contacts and to supply and interrupt power to the circuit. A motor starter is simply a contactor PLUSan overload relay and is rated by motor HP or amperage.
What does overload relay mean on a starter?
It’s back to being just a contactor. The starter employs overload relays to protect the motor from load surges by shutting it down to prevent overheating. The term ‘motor starter’ usually refers to the complete assembly.
Do contactors and starters control electric motors?
The mechanical elements of starters and contactors are identical.
What is the difference between a starter and a contactor?
A contactor is an electrically controlled switch similar to a relay. Whereas, a starter is a contactor with the addition of an overload relay. A contactor applies voltage to a contactor coil to close the contacts and to supply and interrupt power to the circuit. On the other hand, a starter employs overload relays to protect ...
How does a starter work?
A starter turns an engine at some speed to start it. This makes the engine suck fuel and air into the cylinders and compress it. The starter is mounted low down near the back of the engine in a front-engine layout. A starter draws heavy electric current through thick wires from the battery.
What is contactor 2021?
Contactors are one of the most common and widely used devices in the field of power distribution. A contactor is an electrically-controlled switch. It is a device that switches more than 15 amperes.
What are the two terms used interchangeably?
Since contactors and starters both control electric motors, people usually use the two terms interchangeably. Coil, contacts, arc chutes, usage of lower control voltage, all of these mechanical elements are identical in both contactor and starter.
What is a starter in a four stroke engine?
In a four-stroke engine, the first two strokes are not powered by the engine itself, but by the starter. Once the engine starts running, the starter is not required anymore as the feedback loop becomes self-sustaining. A few features of a starter are: A starter can be electric, pneumatic, or hydraulic.
Why do starters need a large switch?
A starter needs a large switch to handle the high current instead of a hand-operated switch . This switch needs to be turned on and off very quickly to avoid dangerous sparking. To turn the central crankshaft, a large flywheel gear on the back of an engine is meshed with the gears of a starter.
What is a starter?
Starter and it features. A starter is a kind of device or motor which is electrical. It controls the use of electrical power to equipment. As the name implies, a starter ‘starts’ motors. But it also stops, reverses, accelerates, and protects motors.
What is the difference between a magnetic starter and a contactor?
The main difference between contactors and starters is the use of overload heater element (a sensitive coil which monitors the generated heat by excessive current and changes in ambient temperature) in the starter to protect the motor from overheating and provide load protection).
What is a motor starter?
It is used to control the heating circuits, electric motor and automated industrial equipment. A Motor Starter is a combined device of contactor and over load relay.
What is contactor in motor?
A Contactor is a separate part of a motor starter which can be used as a power control device as well. It is used where frequent opening and closing (ON – OFF) operation needed in electrical equipment such as motors, light and heaters etc.
How does a starter work?
A Motor starter gets information from contactor and systems of contactors to energize and de-energize the motor. A Contactor function is same as a circuit breaker or switch but the working principle is different.
What is the main function of a contactor?
According to NEMA, The main function of the contactor is to repeatedly establish and interrupt and electrical power circuit i.e. to make and break the load circuit from power supply. A Contactor depends on information from the motor starter control system and energizes and de-energizes the motor circuit. A Motor starter gets information ...
Do starters have overload protection?
In short, if you have a starter, then you are having a Contactor and Overload protection in a single unit. If you have a contactor, you are not having the overload protection unit.
