markthespark

Ive installed them in schools for lighting controls where lights in a room had 2 circuits, so i ran it through a contactor to switch them on and off at the same time through a PIR, also ive used them for switching a large load through a time clock.

LukeScotty

so , i could impliment a switch into the contactor, which could power some lights?

If You Build It, They Will Come n If it aint broken don't fix it!

Shakey

Luke

Not quite sure what you mean?

you could use a switch to operate the contactor, and the contactor could control the lights

do you have specific circuit in mind?

LukeScotty

am unsure how contactors work, and hardly installed them. but basically with what you've said I sort of understand. so I could put a switch on the contactor, which would trigger the coil for the contactor to control (allow power to) the lights???

If You Build It, They Will Come n If it aint broken don't fix it!

Shakey

Yup, thats it

the contactor is just a coil, with an armature connected to it. When you energise the coil, the magnetic field around it attracts the armature, this pulls in the sets of contacts

it is normal practice to have a N/O on (or start) switch in series with a N/C off (or stop switch), in series with the coil

you then wire a set of N/O auxilliary contacts on the contactor in parralel with the on switch, which act as the hold on.

So when you press on, the coil energises and closes the contactor, the N/O contacts close and short out the on push, keeping the contactor energised. The contacts can be used for any circuit, within their current rating

This system is used because if you were to lose power, the contactor would drop out, and would not re-energise until the 'on' push is pressed again.

If you were to use a straightforward toggle switch, for example, the contactor would re-energise when power was restored. And the person working on the motor (for example) which would suddenly restart would NOT be impressed!!!!

LukeScotty

righty, could we possibly explain how to wire this up, bare with me please cus I don't do this everyday, lets imagine that I'm doing one next week (most unlikely) anyways

this is the contactor http://www.mkelectric.co.uk/images/products/6420S.JPG

lets pretend we've got 2 circuits, one for the contactor and one for alot of high powered lights

am guessing A1 and A2 energise the coil ? so.... line to a1, neutral to a2 ?

whats next, and wiring the lights to - from and via the contactor

regards

If You Build It, They Will Come n If it aint broken don't fix it!

MacSparky

Nice cant wait for the explanation on that one.............lol

Get off my planet...
http://www.mysportydate.com/

wayne

oh f**k here we go
two circuits one to energise the coil one to power the lights
1st circuit ,wire from your mcb(control circuit ) to your light switch (normal everyday thing)then back to your a1 terminal .neutral of this circuit is taken straight to the a2 terminal
2nd circuit (power circuit ) is taken through the terminals of the contactor (l1,l2,l3...t1,t2,t3)and back out to your lights .neutral is taken straight to the lights
dont forget the relevant earths and make sure the contactor is correctly sized ,also check the control voltage info
this is the most simple way of doing things it gets fun when you add pir sensors ,timers photocells................
have i missed anything?

LukeScotty

how is the neutral jointed through, connector block (through crimp?) within the contactor? if ran in armoured cable??

cheers wayne,

If You Build It, They Will Come n If it aint broken don't fix it!

wayne

a contactor is a self contained item , if you are talking about the enclosure then lets continue
you have two circuits ,that is two feeds two neutrals two earths
if you are junctioning the neutral through the enclosure via a teminal block or crimp,for the power circuit either is fine i prefer terminal block