contactors

[R16CHT]

i havn't worked with a lot of contactors so just getting used to them, might seem like a simple question and im just being dumb but we all know A1 and A2 are both sides of the coil which you need power to so that the contactor pulls in.

ive noticed recently on a few that some contactors have A1 and two lots of A2, why is this? and how are these connected to work does all three need power to them etc?

 

[Lurch]

If there's 2 A2 terminals they're usually top and bottom so you can swap them for ones with terminals either top, bottom or split. You only need to connect to one or the other for it to work.

 

[R16CHT]

i thought that but seems daft why have 2 if you only need to use 1 for it to work im confusing myself with simple things lately

 

[Lurch]

Like I say, there's 2 there for if you're swapping it with an existing one. Often the wiring is tight or a bit of a PITA to move so with the 2 sets of terminals you can simply yank the old one out and stick the new one in and the terminals are in the right place regardless of the old ones configuration.

 

[R16CHT]

makes sense really knew it would be something simple that im makeing complicated thanks for making me look dumb

 

[Lurch]

Any time fella.

 

[a1]

There are two wiring DOL (INC contactors) in the download section - One is Single-Phase and the other is Three-Phase. If they are any help to you.

 

[revjames]

dont do what I did on a crane in a factory and replace a Telemecanique contactor and connect it up without looking (identical in every way except the 2 A2's) as you do. then power up and instantly blow the control fuse cos I put the supply across the 2 A2 terminals because the second one was exactly where the A1 was on the old one!!!

 

[kme]

I "nearly" did the same, on a TPN star/delta; where we replaced all the contactors. I don`t know what the old units were (ancient), but they had TWO lots of aux contacts on two of the three contactors.

I replaced with Telemechanique; but you have to buy the aux contacts seperate; which I did. As you, I came close to messing up the A2s, as I was going to use the existing wiring.

In the end, I stripped it all out & started again - with a bit of help from "oldtimesparx" on the timer unit. Didn`t need the extra AUXs, either, which was odd, as they were connected on the old ones.....

Never mindGuinness It all works - correctlyGuinnessGuinness

R16 - think of `em as relays, just bigger.........