Buy Power Contactor Online at Electrihub

A power contactor is an electrically operated switching device used to make and break high-current circuits — most commonly for motors, heaters, capacitor banks, and lighting loads. Unlike a manual switch, it is energised remotely through a low-voltage coil, allowing a control signal (from a PLC, relay, or push button) to switch heavy three-phase loads safely and repeatedly.

Power contactors are rated and tested to IEC 60947-4-1, the global standard for low-voltage contactors and motor starters. The two most important ratings are the AC-3 rating (for squirrel-cage induction motors) and the AC-1 rating (for resistive loads such as heaters and lighting). A contactor's AC-3 rating is always lower than its AC-1 rating because motor switching involves higher transient currents.

At Electrihub we stock power contactors from eight globally certified manufacturers — ABB, Schneider Electric, Siemens, Eaton, Lauritz Knudsen, Havells, HPL, and C&S Electric — covering AC-3 ratings from 6 A to 1,650 A in both 3-pole and 4-pole configurations, with coil voltages from 12 V DC to 690 V AC.

Where Are Power Contactors Used?

Power contactors are found in virtually every industry that relies on electric motor or load control. Common applications include:

Motor Control Centres (MCC) and Switchboards — Power contactors are the primary switching element inside MCC panels, direct-on-line (DOL) starters, and star-delta starter assemblies used across manufacturing, utilities, and process plants.

HVAC and Refrigeration — Compressor and condenser fan motors in chillers, rooftop units, and air-handling units are switched through contactors rated for high-frequency operation.

Water and Wastewater Treatment — Submersible and booster pump motors are controlled through contactors in control panels at pumping stations and sewage treatment facilities.

Industrial Manufacturing — Conveyors, compressors, mixers, machine tools, and production line drives all use power contactors for start/stop control and reversing duty.

Commercial Lighting Control — AC-1 rated contactors switch large resistive lighting banks in commercial buildings, warehouses, and car parks, often remotely from a BMS panel.

Oil, Gas, and Petrochemical — Wellhead and pipeline motor control panels use appropriately rated and sometimes Ex-certified contactors for hazardous area operation.

Power Contactor Brands and Series – Technical Comparison

The table below covers every brand and series stocked by Electrihub. Use the current range, pole configuration, and coil voltage columns to shortlist the right product, then follow the series link to browse available stock.

All contactors are certified to IEC 60947-4-1. Specifications at 40°C ambient, 415 V AC system voltage. Refer to individual product datasheets for derating curves and full coil voltage options.

About the Brands We Stock

Schneider Electric — TeSys Deca, TeSys E

Schneider Electric's TeSys family is one of the most widely installed IEC contactor ranges in the world. The TeSys Deca (LC1D series) is the current-generation platform, featuring wide-range coil technology that accepts 100–250 V AC/DC on a single product — eliminating the need to specify coil voltage at ordering time. The Easy TeSys E (LC1E) is a cost-effective variant sharing the same footprint and auxiliary contact system. Schneider contactors are dual-listed to both IEC and UL/CSA standards.

Siemens — SIRIUS 3RT2, 3TF, 3TC

Siemens SIRIUS 3RT2 is the current-generation contactor series, rated AC-3e from 9 A to over 1,000 A. The integrated design allows direct side-mounting of 3RU2 overload relays and 3RH2 auxiliary contact blocks without separate wiring. Larger frame sizes support IO-Link connectivity for predictive maintenance. The older 3TF and 3TC series remain available as replacement stock for existing installations.

ABB — A-Series, AF-Series, AL, AX, AU

ABB's classic A-series (A9 through A185) covers 9 A to 185 A with proven silver alloy contacts and a comprehensive range of matching accessories. The modern AF-series features an electronic coil accepting either 100–250 V AC/DC or 24–60 V AC/DC — a single part number covers all voltages, simplifying procurement and reducing spare-part inventory.

Eaton — DILM, DILEEM, XTCD

Eaton's DILM series is among the best-selling IEC contactors globally, available from 7 A to 1,600 A. It supports both top-mounting and front-mounting of auxiliary contact blocks and is compatible with Eaton's SmartWire-DT communication system. The compact DILEEM and DILEM mini variants offer reduced footprint and lower holding power consumption for space-sensitive panel designs.

Lauritz Knudsen — MNX, MO, MCX, MDX, MK2, MX Mini

Lauritz Knudsen's ExceeD platform, anchored by the MNX series, is India's most widely specified industrial contactor range. Certified to IS/IEC 60947-4-1, MNX covers 9 A to 630 A in standard and 4-pole versions, with a full suite of interchangeable auxiliary blocks, suppressor kits, and overload relays. The legacy MO series remains available for direct replacement in existing installations.

Havells — D, E, F, G, K, V Models

Havells offers an ISI-marked, IEC 60947-4-1 certified contactor range covering standard three-phase motor applications from 9 A to 400 A. With one of the largest service and spare-parts networks across India, Havells contactors are a practical choice for commercial and light-industrial applications where local support is a priority.

HPL Electric — AFC, AL, TAL Series

HPL Electric provides competitively priced IEC-certified contactors for panel builders and OEMs across South Asia. The AFC and AL series cover standard 3-pole applications from 9 A to 95 A, well-suited for cost-sensitive motor starter assemblies in commercial and light-industrial projects.

C&S Electric — IC Series, GJL, EK550, EK1000

C&S Electric manufactures contactors to IEC 60947 standards and is a preferred supplier for government infrastructure projects and large public-sector undertakings. The IC series covers 6 A to 800 A in both 3P and 4P configurations, while the heavy-duty EK550, EK1000, and GJL frames handle 300 A to 1,650 A for large motor drives and main distribution panels.

How to Select the Right Power Contactor

Step 1 — Identify the load type and duty category

Determine whether your load is a squirrel-cage motor (AC-3), wound-rotor motor (AC-2), resistive heater or lighting bank (AC-1), or requires plugging/inching duty (AC-4). Most standard motor applications specify AC-3.

Step 2 — Find the full-load ampere (FLA) and apply a margin

Read the motor's FLA from the nameplate. Select a contactor whose AC-3 current rating at your system voltage (typically 400 V or 415 V) exceeds the motor FLA. Add a 10–15% safety margin when ambient temperature exceeds 40°C or installation altitude is above 2,000 m.

Step 3 — Select coil voltage to match your control circuit

Use 24 V DC for PLC-driven output cards. Use 110 V AC for safety control circuits. Use 230 V AC for conventional relay-logic panels. If your panel uses multiple control voltages, consider ABB AF-series or Schneider TeSys Deca wide-range coils to eliminate voltage-specific part numbers.

Step 4 — Choose pole configuration

Select 3-pole for standard three-phase motor circuits. Select 4-pole where the neutral conductor must also be switched — common in certain TN-C-S earthing systems or four-wire capacitor bank switching applications.

Step 5 — Check auxiliary contact requirements

Most contactors include one NO and one NC auxiliary contact as standard. If your circuit requires additional feedback contacts for PLC inputs, indicator lamps, or interlocking, select a model with built-in 2NO+2NC, or add a snap-on auxiliary contact block.

Step 6 — Match brand to your existing ecosystem

If you are already using a specific brand's overload relays, MCCBs, or auxiliary blocks, select a contactor from the same manufacturer to ensure direct mechanical interlocking, compatible setting ranges, and plug-in accessory compatibility without adaptor plates.

Key Technical Terms

AC-3 Rating

The current a contactor can safely make and break when switching a squirrel-cage induction motor at full voltage. This is the primary specification for motor applications and is always lower than the AC-1 rating for the same physical contactor.

AC-1 Rating

The current rating for resistive or slightly inductive loads with a power factor close to unity — heaters, incandescent lamps, and resistive furnaces. An AC-1 rated contactor can carry significantly more current than its AC-3 rating would suggest.

AC-4 Duty

The most demanding switching duty — used for plugging (reversing under load) and inching (jogging). Contactors used for AC-4 duty must be de-rated to approximately 50–60% of their AC-3 rating, or specifically AC-4 rated products must be selected.

Coil Voltage

The voltage applied to the electromagnetic coil to energise (close) the contactor. Common industrial coil voltages are 24 V DC, 48 V AC, 110 V AC, 230 V AC, and 415 V AC. Modern wide-range electronic coils (ABB AF-series, Schneider TeSys Deca) accept a broad voltage band on a single device.

Mechanical Endurance

The total number of no-load operations a contactor can perform over its service life, typically 10 to 30 million operations for quality products.

Electrical Endurance

The total number of full-load switching operations at the rated AC-3 current, typically 1–3 million cycles. High-cycle applications such as conveyors, presses, and cranes require contactors with higher electrical endurance ratings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a power contactor and a circuit breaker?
A power contactor is designed for frequent, controlled switching of loads under normal operating conditions — it does not provide short-circuit protection. A circuit breaker is designed to interrupt fault currents and protect wiring. In a typical DOL motor starter, a MCCB or MPCB provides overcurrent protection while the contactor provides the run/stop switching function.

Can I replace a Schneider TeSys D contactor with a TeSys Deca?
Yes. TeSys Deca is the direct successor to TeSys D and maintains the same mounting footprint and auxiliary contact positions. Key improvements include a wide-range coil (100–250 V AC/DC) on select models and push-in spring-cage terminals, making it a form-fit-function replacement in existing panels.

What is the difference between AC-3 and AC-3e ratings?
AC-3 (IEC 60947-4-1 Amendment 1) is tested at 1.5× rated operational voltage. AC-3e (Amendment 2) is tested at rated voltage only. Both are suitable for squirrel-cage motor switching — always confirm the specific value in the product datasheet.

Do Eaton DILM contactors work with Siemens overload relays?
Generally no — each brand's overload relays are designed for direct butt-mounting on their own contactor frames only. Cross-brand combinations require separate wiring and additional mounting hardware. Staying within the same brand ecosystem is recommended for motor starter assemblies.

What coil voltage should I specify for a PLC-controlled panel?
24 V DC is the standard for PLC output-driven coils, as most PLC output modules directly switch 24 V DC loads. For conventional relay-logic panels, 110 V AC or 230 V AC are typical. Wide-range coil contactors (ABB AF, Schneider TeSys Deca) can simplify your bill of materials if mixed voltages are used.

How do I size a contactor for a 15 kW, 415 V, three-phase motor?
A 15 kW motor at 415 V draws approximately 29 A full-load current. With a 10% safety margin, select a contactor with an AC-3 rating of at least 32 A at 415 V. A Schneider LC1D32, Siemens 3RT2025, ABB A30, Eaton DILM32, or Lauritz Knudsen MNX32 would all be appropriate choices.

Are all contactors on Electrihub original and genuine?
Yes. Electrihub sources exclusively through authorised distribution channels. All products are supplied in original manufacturer packaging with full traceability. Authenticity documentation and manufacturer certificates of conformity are available on request.

Popular Ratings in Power Contactors

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Popular Brands We Have

Schneider Electric  |  ABB  |  Eaton  |  Siemens  |  C&S  |  Havells  |  HPL  |  Lauritz Knudsen(L&T)

Categories in Contactors and Contactor Relays

Auxiliary Contactors  |  Capacitor Duty Contactor  |  Motor Protection Relay  |  Motor Starter  |  MPCB  |  MPCB Accessories  |  Overload Relay  |  Overload Relays Accessories  |  Power Contactor  |  Power Contactor Accessories  |  Protective Relays  |  Protective Relays Accessories