Using a Contactor with an Electric Switch
- Simon Turner
An Electric Switch can control a device that has a resistive load no greater than 13A, or an inductive load no greater than 3A (Electric Switch datasheet can be found here, and the wiring diagrams here).
This equates to a 3kW load for most heater type devices.
If you need to control a device rated at more than this, then an extra component called a ‘contactor’ is required to be installed.
A contactor is an electrically operated switch. The output from the Electric Switch is fed to the input of the contactor, and the device to be switch (for example an electric radiator) is connected to the output of the contactor.
connects to…
contactor
connects to…
device to be controlled
The contactor must be installed by a competent person (this is a legal term, and a requirement that means a person such as a qualified electrician, who can ensure that the appropriate electrical regulations are complied with).
Note that in order to be safely installed, in line with regulations, the contactor may require to be installed in an enclosure.
Genius Hub are unable to advise which specific products should be installed, and we do no sell contactors.
Genius Hub are also unable to specify exactly which device is required - the installer should visually inspect the job, in order to correctly assess the requirements for the installed equipment.
The contactor that is used should have a 230VAC coil, as the output of an Electric Switch is 230VAC.
Here is an example of a contactor: Omron Contactor, 230 VAC Coil, 4-Pole, 10 A, 2NO + 2NC