IEC 100 Contactors Selection Guide
In the realm of industrial automation, IEC 100 has emerged as an indispensable component, assuming a pivotal role in facilitating precise control, reliable switching, and efficient power distribution within a wide range of industrial applications. A contactor is an electrical apparatus extensively utilized to activate and deactivate circuits. Hence, electrical contactors belong to a subgroup of electromagnetic switches commonly referred to as relays, with a slight difference in that they can control heavy amounts of electric current. Their features include both operational direct and reversible contactors, incorporate integrated surge protection, offer both coil control AC & DC, a wide range of accompanying accessories for each contactor series, are compliant with IEC, CSA, and UL standards, and Meet RoHS regulations. Ensures safety in motor operations using safety contactors.
This selection guide will assist you in selecting the IEC 100 contactor that best meets your needs and will offer you the unparalleled experience you need to develop in your industrial life.
What are Contactors?
A contactor is an electrical apparatus extensively utilized to activate and deactivate circuits. It is an exceptional type of relay. It is employed in applications that need a greater current capacity for carrying, while the relay is employed in appliances that involve a lesser electrical current. So, it is the fundamental dissimilarity between the contactor and relay. Contactors are minor in size and have a much easier field installed. These electrical appliances often have numerous contacts. As the coil of the contactor is energized, these connections are generally open to supply electricity to the load. Contactors are most typically used to regulate electric motors.
There are several varieties of contactors, and everyone has an exclusive set of features, usages, and applications. A wide variety of currents, including those from little amperes to hundreds of amperes and electrical voltages ranging from 24 VDC to several thousand volts, may be stopped by contactors. Additionally, these electrical items exist in a variety of sizes, ranging from hand-held models to ones that measure a yard or meter on a single side.
The contactor is predominantly utilized in situations requiring high current loads. Its notable feature is its ability to effectively manage currents exceeding 5000 amperes and substantial power levels surpassing 100 kW. When it needs to be interrupted, strong motor currents create arcs. Using a contactor, these arcs may be decreased and controlled.
Rockwell Automation provides IEC contactors that are adaptable, modular, and simple to choose and apply, with SCCR documentation, complementing accessories, and an energy-saving electronic AC and DC coil that is PLC compatible, ranging in ampere ratings from 5 amperes micro to 2650 amperes large-frames.
Parts of a Contactor
A contactor is made up of the following three parts:
Coil: The electromagnet or coil is a contractor’s most important part. It gives the electric force essential to disconnect the connections. The contacts and coil of the electromagnet are shielded and secured within the enclosure for protection.
Enclosure: Contactors include an enclosure, similar to the enclosures utilized in any additional application, which provides protection and safeguards against people contacting the contacts. Different materials, including polycarbonate, polyester, Bakelite, Nylon 6, thermosetting polymers, and others, are utilized to create the protective casing. The contactor with an open frame often has an extra enclosure shielding it from inclement weather, explosion risks, dust, and oil.
Contacts: This electrical device's contacts are yet another crucial part. The contacts handle the contactor's duty of transporting current. A contactor has three distinct kinds of connections: power contacts, auxiliary contacts, and contact springs. Every type of touch has a specific function to fulfill.
Features and Benefits
Versatility: The IEC 100 Contactors offer both direct and reversible functionality, providing flexibility for various circuit switching requirements.
Surge Suppression: These contactors come equipped with in-built surge suppression through electronic coils, offering enhanced protection against electrical surges.
AC and DC Control: The IEC 100 Contactors support the coil's AC and DC control, allowing for seamless integration into different control systems.
Wide Range of Accessories: A comprehensive range of accessories is available within each contactor family, enabling customization and adaptation to specific application needs.
Compatibility: These contactors have been designed to seamlessly integrate with our “Bulletin 193” Overload Relays and “Bulletin 140M” Motor Safety Circuit Breakers, ensuring a smooth and reliable system operation.
Compliance: The IEC 100 Contactors meet the standards set by the IEC, UL, and CSA, ensuring compliance with international safety and performance requirements.
RoHS Compliant: These contactors are RoHS compliant, adhering to environmental regulations and promoting environmentally friendly operations.
IE3 Motor Switching Support: The IEC 100 Contactors can safely switch IE3 motors, contributing to efficient motor control and energy savings.
IEC 100 Contactors
IEC Contactors Bulletin No. 100-K/104-K
The IEC Contactors Bulletin No. 100-K/104-K series presents a range of features and capabilities designed to provide a versatile and dependable control solution for a wide range of applications. With options for both screw terminals and spring terminals (available for 5A to 9A models), these contactors offer flexibility and ease of installation.
Key Features:
- The compact size of these contactors makes them suitable for applications where space is limited. Despite their small footprint, they deliver robust performance and reliable control.
- The contactors are designed with consistent panel mounting dimensions, allowing for seamless integration into various control panels and systems.
- These contactors offer the flexibility of being mounted either on a panel or on a standard 35 mm DIN Rail, catering to different installation requirements.
- The contactors support both AC and DC coil control, accommodating different power supply configurations and enhancing compatibility with various control systems.
- Manufactured using environmentally friendly materials, these contactors contribute to sustainability efforts while maintaining high-quality performance.
Contacts:
The contactors are equipped with three power poles, featuring inner normally open (NO) or auxiliary contacts normally closed (NC). Alternatively, a four-power pole configuration is available as well.
An optional front-mounted auxiliary contact block, with two or four poles, can be added to expand the contactor's auxiliary contact capabilities.
Coil Voltages:
The coil voltages supported by these contactors range from 24V to 600V AC at 50/60Hz and 12V to 250V DC, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of power supply systems.
Optional Features:
Electronic or bimetallic overload relays can be added as optional components, offering enhanced protection and control for motor operations.
A variety of optional accessories are available, including front-mounted auxiliary contacts, electronic timers, surge suppressors, and mechanical interlocks, providing customization options to meet specific application needs.
IEC Contactors 100-C/104-C
The IEC Contactors 100-C/104-C series offers a robust and dependable control solution catering to a wide range of applications. These contactors provide installation flexibility with panel mounting and mounting options on a 35-millimeter DIN Rail.
Key Features:
- These contactors can be conveniently mounted on a control panel or a standard 35-millimeter DIN Rail, enabling versatile installation options to suit different system configurations.
- The contactors support both AC and DC coil control, allowing compatibility with various power supply setups and enhancing their versatility in control systems.
- The coil terminals can be easily reversed, offering flexibility in line or load-side wiring configurations.
- These contactors share common accessories, simplifying inventory management and reducing the need for multiple component variations.
- Manufactured using environmentally friendly materials, these contactors deliver reliable performance and contribute to sustainability initiatives.
Contacts:
The contactors are equipped with three power poles, featuring inner normally open (NO) or auxiliary contacts normally closed (NC). A four-power pole configuration is available for models ranging from 9A to 23A.
Optional front- or side-mounted auxiliary contact blocks, with one, two, or four poles, can be added to expand the auxiliary contact capabilities of the contactors.
Coil Voltages:
The coil voltages supported by these contactors range from 12V to 480V AC at 50/60Hz and 9V to 250V DC, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of power supply systems.
Optional Features:
Electronic or bimetallic overload relays can be incorporated as optional components, offering enhanced protection and control for motor operations.
A variety of optional accessories are available, including front/side-mounted auxiliary contacts, electronic or pneumatic timers, surge suppressors, mechanical interlocks, and mechanical latches, providing customization options to meet specific application requirements.
IEC Contactors 100-E/104-E
The IEC Contactors 100-E/104-E series provides a powerful and versatile control solution catering to a wide range of applications. Whether for panel mounted or mounted on a 35 mm DIN Rail, these contactors offer flexibility in installation options.
Key Features:
- These contactors can be conveniently mounted on control panels or standard 35 mm DIN Rails, providing flexibility and adaptability to different installation requirements.
- The E09 to E370 models feature AC or DC electronic coils with in-built surge suppression, ensuring reliable and protected operation. The E116 to E370 models also offer an optional PLC interface for enhanced control integration.
- Manufactured using environmentally friendly materials, these contactors prioritize sustainability while delivering high-performance control.
Contacts:
The contactors feature three main poles with two auxiliary contacts (one normally open and one normally closed) on the E116 to E2650 models, enabling additional control capabilities.
Optional side/front-mounted external auxiliary contact blocks can be added to expand the auxiliary contact functionalities of the contactors.
Coil Voltages:
The coil voltages supported by these contactors range from 20V to 500V at 50/60Hz or DC, ensuring compatibility with diverse power supply systems.
Optional Features:
Additional optional features include side/front-mounted auxiliary contacts, terminal lugs, mechanical interlocks, terminal shields, electronic or pneumatic timers (available for 9A to 96A models), connecting bars, and mechanical latches (available for 9A to 96A models). These options enhance customization and adaptability for specific application needs.
Safety Contactors Bulletin No. 100S-C/104S-C
Bulletin No. 100S-C/104S-C series provides a dependable and certified control solution designed to prioritize safety in various applications. With screw terminals for secure connections, these contactors ensure reliable operation and protection.
Key Features:
- The contactors are equipped with auxiliary contacts that are mechanically linked and positively guided, ensuring proper and reliable operation. This feature enhances safety by preventing contact welding or sticking.
- The front-mounted auxiliary contacts offer convenience and ease of access. They are permanently fixed and feature a shielding cover to prevent accidental manual operation. The red contact housing provides easy identification, and the contacts incorporate the IEC 947-5-1 "Mechanically Linked" symbol. For certain situations, additional gold-plated bifurcated versions are available.
- The contactors support both AC and DC operating coils, offering flexibility in power supply configurations and compatibility with various control systems.
- These contactors have received third-party certification from SUVA, ensuring compliance with safety standards and regulations, further enhancing their reliability and trustworthiness.
Contacts:
The contactors feature three main poles along with normally closed (NC) mechanically connected or mirror feedback contacts, providing additional safety and control functionalities.
Coil Voltages:
The coil voltages supported by these contactors range from 12V to 480V AC at 50/60Hz and 12V to 250V DC, allowing for compatibility with diverse power supply systems.
Optional Features:
Additional optional features include side-mounted auxiliary contacts, electronic timers, surge suppressors, and mechanical interlocks. These accessories expand the functionality and customization options of the contactors to meet specific application requirements.
Standards Compliance:
The Safety Contactors comply with several international standards, including EN/IEC 60947-4, IEC 60947-5-1 (Annex L - Mechanically Linked Contacts), IEC 60947-4-1 (Annex F - Mirror Contacts), UL 508, CSA C22.2 No. 14, and EN50205, ensuring adherence to stringent safety and performance standards.
Safety Contactors 100S-E/104S-E
The Safety Contactors 100S-E/104S-E series is designed to deliver robust and reliable control for applications requiring high current capacities. These contactors offer advanced safety features, compliance with international standards, and third-party certifications, ensuring secure operations in demanding environments.
Key Features:
- The contactors incorporate mirror contact technology on the auxiliary contacts, providing reliable and precise contact operation for enhanced safety and control.
- Utilized in the feedback circuit, the low-power auxiliary contacts in red serve as normally closed (NC) connections.
- The contactors have obtained SUVA third-party certification, affirming their adherence to stringent safety standards and regulations.
- The contactors are equipped with AC/DC operating coils that come with built-in surge suppression, ensuring reliable and protected control operations.
Contacts:
The contactors have three main poles, including mirror feedback contacts in the normally closed (NC) configuration. These NC mirror feedback contacts enhance the contactors' control capabilities by offering dependable and accurate operation.
Coil Voltages:
These contactors support a wide range of coil voltages, ranging from 20V to 500V at 50/60Hz or DC, enabling compatibility with various power supply systems.
Optional Features:
Optional side-mount auxiliary contacts, electronic timers (available for 9A to 96A models), mechanical interlocks (available for 9A to 96A models), terminal shields, terminal enlargements, terminal lugs, terminal extensions, and connection bars are available, allowing for customization and adaptability to specific application requirements.
Standards Compliance:
The contactors comply with EN/IEC 60947-4-1, IEC 60947-4-1 (Annex L - Mechanically Linked Contacts), IEC 60947-4-1 (Annex F - Mirror Contacts), UL 60947-4-1, CSA C22.2 No. 60947-4-1, ensuring their adherence to international safety and performance standards.
Accessories
The IEC 100 Contactors come with a wide range of accessories specifically designed to enhance their functionality and versatility. These accessories are shared within each contactor family, ensuring compatibility and ease of use. They include an auxiliary contact block, allowing additional control and monitoring options. The reversing wiring kit enables easy and convenient motor direction control. A mechanical interlock ensures proper sequencing and prevents the simultaneous operation of incompatible functions. The connecting module facilitates efficient and secure connections. An electronic timer (available for 100-C models) adds precision timing capabilities. A surge suppressor protects against voltage spikes. Additional accessories include auxiliary contact modules, terminal lugs, terminal shrouds for added safety, and connection bars for seamless integration with 140G circuit breakers. These accessories expand the capabilities of IEC 100 Contactors, providing comprehensive solutions for various applications.
Conclusion
In conclusion, IEC 100 contactors are essential components in industrial automation. They offer precise control, reliable switching, and efficient power distribution. They play a crucial role in regulating electric motors and can manage high-current loads. These contactors come with a wide range of features, including surge suppression, AC and DC coil control, compatibility with various accessories, and compliance with international standards. They prioritize safety using safety contactors and contribute to energy savings by supporting IE3 motor switching. With different series and models available, IEC 100 contactors provide versatility, easy installation, and customization options for specific application requirements. Their compact size, consistent mounting dimensions, and environmentally friendly materials make them a reliable and sustainable choice for industrial control systems.
