Lighting contactor wiring

[Ghost2011]

I've not had to do a contactor before and just want to check the wiring of it.
It's a 2 pole contactor with a1/a2 and 1234

Am I right in thinking that
A1 = perm live
A2= neutral
1= live to light
2= switched live
Not really sure on 3 and 4

Thanks for any advice

 

[westward10]

A1 and A2 are the coil terminals.

 

[MJPD29]

A1 and A2 are switched live and neutral That you use for opening or closing the contactor. As for 1,2,3,4 It all depends on which brand of contactor it is as to where they are and what they do but generall if you apply power to a1 and a2 you will be able to use your tester to find out which terminals are linked

 

[Des 56]

Whats the set up of the lighting circuit you want to control

 

[westward10]

Terminal 1 should switch through to 2 and 3 through to 4.

 

[Ghost2011]

I'm using it for led strips in a kitchen there's a lots of them and the inrush current trips the mcb and I've been suggested to use the contactor to solve it.

So reading it I don't need to use 3/4
A1= switched live
A2 = neutral
1= perm live
2= live to light

 

[Andy78]

All the info should be on the contactor itself including a wiring diagram, coil voltage, no/nc operations.

If you are not sure to how to wire it then you are probably unsure of how it functions. You should research this so you understand it fully.

 

[westward10]

If you are only switching one circuit through the contactor I can't see how this will reduce nuisance tripping.

 

[westward10]

A1 and A2 are switched live and neutral That you use for opening or closing the contactor. As for 1,2,3,4 It all depends on which brand of contactor it is as to where they are and what they do but generall if you apply power to a1 and a2 you will be able to use your tester to find out which terminals are linked

Contactor terminal numbering is normally universal, 1 switches 2, 3 to 4, 5 to 6 etc..

 

[MJPD29]

True, but I was supplied with ones on a job once where it was 1 to 3, 2 to 4, double pole contactor

 

[MJPD29]

Although the terminals were in the exact same place, just different numbers on them

 

[Des 56]

Are you wanting to use this contactor to sort of cascade and thereby reduce the inrush currents so the mcb does not trip?

 

[Ghost2011]

There is two sides of the room on led strips I could separate them and put on side on 1/2 and the other on 3/4

 

[Ghost2011]

Are you wanting to use this contactor to sort of cascade and thereby reduce the inrush currents so the mcb does not trip?

This is exactly what I'm trying to do

 

[Des 56]

I think they will need to be separated to help the reduction in inrush
Use the switched live to feed the contactor coil and one half of the lights and use a permanent live to feed the other half via the switching contacts of the contactor

 

[Andy78]

How about a breaker with a more generous start current let through (efli permitting), or a current limiter ?

Inrush Limiter for LED lighting - https://uk.eaton.com/content/gb/en/products/product-catalog/lighting-controls-inrush-limiter-eaton.html

 

[Ghost2011]

I think they will need to be separated to help the reduction in inrush
Use the switched live to feed the contactor coil and one half of the lights and use a permanent live to feed the other half via the switching contacts of the contactor

This is a option to reduce the inrush

 

[Ghost2011]

How about a breaker with a more generous start current let through (efli permitting), or a current limiter ?

Inrush Limiter for LED lighting - https://uk.eaton.com/content/gb/en/products/product-catalog/lighting-controls-inrush-limiter-eaton.html

A current limiter may solve it all

 

[Jamie']

Can you not change the MCB to a type c?

 

[Ghost2011]

Can you not change the MCB to a type c?

I have already changed to a c6

 

[buzzlightyear]

I have already changed to a c6

what size of cable is being used on lighting.

 

[telectrix]

try a C10 if the Zs is low enough.

 

[Wilko]

Agree @westward10 - I don't see how a contactor helps, unless its switching 2 circuits.

 

[Ghost2011]

The cable size is 1mm t+e

 

[Pete999]

Agree @westward10 - I don't see how a contactor helps, unless its switching 2 circuits.

No nor me

 

[Ghost2011]

No nor me

I’m am at the property now and have put a c10 mcb in and all seems good have tried them over 50 times and no tripping

 

[The Ghost]

You may find your switch gets damaged over time though. As has been said a current limiter prior to the switch is the more conventional method of dealing with inrush currents. Contactors, relays and switches are all in line of the inrush and will suffer over time. I hope with the C curve MCB you have taken account of the ADS and max Zs that it meets required disconnection times? There is much evidence of fusing and meltdown of contactor, relays and switches in such circuits.

 

[buzzlightyear]

I’m am at the property now and have put a c10 mcb in and all seems good have tried them over 50 times and no tripping

 

[Pete999]

Does the Zs come within the parameters of a C10 CB?

 

[Toneyz]

try a C10 if the Zs is low enough.

Also depends upon the installation method existing.