In semiconductor testing, a contactor can refer to the socket which connects a device under the test. In several process industries, the contractor can be referred to as a vessel in which two streams interact. It can be air or liquid. A high voltage DC contactor is generally known as an electrically-controlled switch possibly used to switch a lower power level as compared to the switch circuit. It is usually a 24-volt coil electromagnet that controls a motor switch.
Unlike the general-purpose relays, electric contactors are made to be connected to the high current load machines. Relays can often be of lower capacities and made in a way that they can fit into closed and open circulations. Some devices can switch over 15 amperes with circuits. Just a few kilowatts are often called contractors.
Other than the auxiliary contacts, these contractors are exclusively defined by their fitting patterns, which happen to be open in many cases. Unlike relays, contractors are exclusively fitted using the A form of contact.
They are also designed in a way that they can control and then suppress the arc often produced in the process of interrupting viably heavy motor currents.
Heavy motor contactors also come in several forms and capacities. They also have different features that matter to the users. And unlike the common circuit breaker, high voltage contactors are not really intended to cause any form of interruption to the short circuit current.
These contactors range from the ones that come with a feature that helps break the current to the ones with several amperes. One contactor device’s physical size ranges from a single small size to a large one that measure about a yard.
A contractor comes with three major components. It also comes with one primary contact known as the current-carrying compound. This entails power contact, contact spring, as well as the auxiliary contact.
In many instances, you will notice that the electromagnet element provides the machine with a strong driving force that can help close the two to three contacts.
Enclosures are often designed using an insulating material like Nylon. This helps in protecting contacts while providing some form of protection against the touching of contacts by the users.
Open-frame enclosures are used in providing contractors with further protection against explosion hazards coupled with harsh weather conditions.
In multiple cases, DC contactors use blowout coils in extending the length of the electric arc. AC arcs, on the other hand, come with several low currents, a moment in which the arc easily be distinguished with some ease.
In addition to that, you need to note that DC arcs come with a high current making them challenging to blow out. The magnetic blowouts have a way of fitting into DC currents.
Final Thoughts
That is it on the overview of high volt DC contactors. Sometimes, it is useful to use a circuit atomizer installed to shred off the power needed to maintain the contactor’s closed nature. Relatively greater power output is needed to close a contactor especially when it is open.
