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ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS
(EC 323)
LECTURE 3
Both are electromagnetic switches and operate under similar principles. The difference
comes if we see from the application perspective. Contactors are used for high voltage
switching purposes whereas relays are used for low voltage switching.
How to select a contactor for your
application
There are 3 key elements to a contactor:
The electrical schematic diagram on the right which features a CAD drawing
provides an illustration of the power circuit of a forward reverse motor
controller used in every electrical industry involving industrial process
automation control technology. The diagram appears similar to the DOL
motor controller except for an additional reverse contactor connected in
parallel across the forward contactor.
The main circuit breaker is the main power supply
switch that provides power to the line side terminals
L1, L2, L3 of the two contactors, awaiting for any of
these two contactors to close to deliver the
voltage to the terminal of the motor U1, V1, W1 in
order to run the motor.
The forward contactor is configured in such a way
as to run the motor to its normal forward rotation
with L1 connected to U1, L2 to V1, and L3 to W1.
Whereas the configuration of the reverse
contactor is wired in contrast to the configuration
of the forward contactor so as to provide a reverse
rotation of the motor, with L1 to W1 instead U1,
then L3 to U1 instead of W1, while maintaining L2
connected to V1.
Designing panel boards
Important facts to be considered