DEJ5153

Programmable Logic Control

(PLC)
and Automation
CHAPTER 1
Understand contactors:

Explain contactors
- Basic components.
(Coil, Main Contact and Additional Contact)
- Symbol
- Building diagram
- Operation
 Definition
A contactor is an electrically controlled switch used for switching a
power circuit, similar to a relay except with higher current rating.

Contactor is controlled by a circuit which has a much lower power

level than the switched circuit.
 WHAT IS CONTACTORS?
Contacts which are open when the coil is de-energized are known as normally open
(NO) contacts and are indicated by two short parallel lines. Contacts which are closed
when the coil is energized are called normally closed (NC) contacts and are indicated
by a slant line drawn across the parallel lines.

NO
SYMBOL NC

Contactors are used to control electric motor, lighting, heating,

capacitor banks and other electrical loads.
 CONTACTORS
BUILDING DIAGRAM
 CONTACTORS
BASIC COMPONENTS
A contactor is composed of three different items:

1. Power / Main Contact 2. Auxiliary Contact 3. Coil Input

 BASIC COMPONENTS OF CONTACTORS
POWER / MAIN CONTACT

 Main contact elements for power switching are also called

power contactors (main contactors).
 Main contact generally only normally open contacts.
 It is used for open and closed power circuits.
 BASIC COMPONENTS OF CONTACTORS
AUXILIARY CONTACT / ADDITIONAL CONTACT
There are two basic auxiliary contact types:
- known as Normally Open (N/O) and Normally Closed (N/C) contact.

Uses of auxiliary contact:

- used to simultaneously switch further control functions or logic
operations.
- Remote status and trip indication
- Electrical retainer circuit
 BASIC COMPONENTS OF CONTACTORS
COIL

 Driven by either an AC or DC supply depending on the contactor

design.
 The coil may be energized at the same voltage as the motor.
 When electric current is applied the magnetic field generated by the
coil will close the relay contacts.
 Coil is used to produce electromagnet when power is supplied.
(to control the switching of the contacts)
 CONTACTORS
HOW DOES A CONTACTOR WORK?

When power is supplied to

the coil from the control
circuit, a magnetic field is
produced and magnetizing
the electromagnet.

The magnetic field attracts

the armature to the magnet,
which in turn closes the
Contactor De Energized
contacts.
 CONTACTORS
HOW DOES A CONTACTOR WORK?

With the contacts closed,

current flows through the
power circuit from the line to
the load.

When the electromagnet’s

coil is de energized, the
magnetic field collapses and
the movable contacts open
under spring pressure. Contactor Energized
 CONTACTORS
OPERATION

Normally Open Contact  In the following illustration the

circuit is first shown in the de-
energized state.

 The contacts are shown in their

Relay Relay normally open (NO) state
DE Energized Energized

 When the relay is energized, the

contacts close, completing the path
of current and illuminating the light.
Contacts are shown
opposite of their normal  The contacts have been highlighted
state (NO)
to indicate they are now closed.
 CONTACTORS
OPERATION

Normally Closed Contact  In the following illustration the

contacts are shown as normally
closed (NC), meaning the contacts is
closed when the relay is de-
energized.
Relay Relay
DE Energized Energized
 A complete path of current exists
and the light is on.

 When the relay is energized, the

contacts open turning the light off.
Contacts are shown
opposite of their normal
state (NC)
 CONTACTORS
Example Application

Directly drive contactor by transistor output of PLC

 CONTACTORS
Example Application

3 phase motor starter

 CONTACTORS and RELAYS
Comparison…..
Relays Contactors

Relays are used in circuit with lower ampacity. (Max 20A) It can be used for the switching of up to 12500A load.

Chiefly used in control and automation circuits, protection A contactor is used for switching of motor, capacitors,
circuit and for switching small electronic circuits lights etc. that drains very high current.

Consists of a set of three phase power contacts and in

Consists of at least two NO/NC contacts
some case additional auxiliary contacts are also available

Smaller in size Contactors have arc suppression arrangements inside

Used in control circuits, protection circuits, current and

Used for the switching of heavy loads such as motors,
voltage sensing and switching of lighter loads not more
capacitor banks, lighting loads, compressor, pump.
than 20A