Frequently asked questions
Identifying mechanically held contactor versus electrically held contactor
FA236057
22 April 2022
Issue:How to tell whether lighting contactor is mechanically held or electrically held
Product Line:
8903 Lighting contactors
Environment:
Products sold and used in the United States
Cause:
Catalog numbers are not always known and visual identification must be performed.
Resolution:
Electrically held contactors have a single coil which is continuously energized to engage the power contacts. Mechanically held contactors have two different coils, a latching coil and an unlatching coil. These coils are only momentarily energized to engage or disengage the power contacts.