Q&A for How to Wire a Contactor

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My contactor doesn't really match up with the illustrations? Will this still work?

Ricardo Mitchell
Electrician & Construction Professional, CN Coterie
Ricardo Mitchell is the CEO of CN Coterie, a fully licensed and insured Lead EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) Certified construction company located in Manhattan, New York. CN Coterie specializes in full home renovation, electrical, plumbing, carpentry, cabinetry, furniture restoration, OATH/ECB (Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings/Environmental Control Board) violations removal, and DOB (Department of Buildings) violations removal. Ricardo has over 10 years of electrical and construction experience and his partners have over 30 years of relevant experience.

Ricardo Mitchell

Electrician & Construction Professional, CN Coterie

Expert Answer

There are all different kinds of contactors out there, and they're all wired differently. Consult the diagram that came with your contactor and follow their instructions.

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Question

What are the letters on the conductor?

Ricardo Mitchell
Electrician & Construction Professional, CN Coterie
Ricardo Mitchell is the CEO of CN Coterie, a fully licensed and insured Lead EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) Certified construction company located in Manhattan, New York. CN Coterie specializes in full home renovation, electrical, plumbing, carpentry, cabinetry, furniture restoration, OATH/ECB (Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings/Environmental Control Board) violations removal, and DOB (Department of Buildings) violations removal. Ricardo has over 10 years of electrical and construction experience and his partners have over 30 years of relevant experience.

Ricardo Mitchell

Electrician & Construction Professional, CN Coterie

Expert Answer

Most conductors label the terminals with letters like L, N, E, A1, A2, L, and P. Those correspond with the letters on the diagram that came with your contactor. It should make it a lot easier to wire everything together.

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Question

What does 'loop' mean?

Community Answer

A loop is a fastener consisting of a ring that protects the inside surface of a small hole.

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Question

What is the difference between a contactor and a PLC?

Community Answer

A contactor is basically just a switch. A programmable logic circuit (PLC) usually consists of many electrical components controlled by a computer program, one of which is frequently a contactor.

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Question

How do contactors work?

Phil Mckay

Community Answer

A contactor operates in a similar way to a relay. The contactor contains a coil which, when energized, "pulls in" the contacts, which will send output voltage to the desired device.

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Question

How can a contractor operate with a photocell?

Community Answer

I had to do this a few times with floodlights to be used outside. Break your circuit, L N E through your contactor. Link a permanent live and a neutral from your supply to your coil (Al + A2) then use your switch feed to your photocell from A1, and switch the wire to the switched phase of your contactor load. This should now open when light, close when dark.

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Question

How many wires does it take to control an electronic contractor?

Community Answer

It takes two wires, one neutral and one switched wire for control of the contractor. The switched wire can be controlled via a switch, controller or pilot relay.

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Question

What are the precautions I should take?

Community Answer

Wiring should be done when power is off. Identify the manufacturer's info on the two input pins and the output contact, Use a cable stripper to avoid jutting wires during connections, After identifying the input and output terminals, start the connections. Ensure that all wiring is fully tight.

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Question

How do I do a wiring to a single phase contactor via photocell to the outside lights?

Brett Gilbert

Top Answerer

The lights connect to the output ports on the contactor. The contactor will have space for the red power wires coming in from the photocell, circuit breaker, and lights. The black power wires will need to be tied together externally, such as through a wire nut.

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Question

What's the difference between volts and amps?

Brett Gilbert

Top Answerer

Amps represent the amount of power in an electrical current. Volts means the force pushing the current through the circuit. Think of it like a water pipe. The amps would be the amount of water, while volts would be the water pressure.

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Question

How do I know if the size of the contactor is correct?

Community Answer

Check the voltage and amperage of the device you want to control and the voltage for the control coil, then match it to the contactor.

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