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Anonymous Poster

Difference Between Contactor and Circuit Breaker

11/02/2008 10:26 AM

Can somebody please explain me the difference Between them.All I know is that ,Contactor is a switching device and CB is a protecting device.The concept of latching and holding coil is also not clear to me.Please explain it to me

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Join Date: Jul 2007
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#1

Re: Difference Between Contactor and Circuit Breaker

11/02/2008 10:58 AM

At a very practical level, a contactor is meant to be operated by a means other than the electricity the contacts carry; thus, a contactor can have pitted or dirty points and still function. A contactor will usually operate for thousands and thousands of times.

A circuit breaker is meant to be operated by the electricity the contacts carry; thus an opening usually means at high current with resulting damage to point surfaces. A circuit breaker that has opened several times, or that has been misused as a switch, is likely to not function at spec level.

A latching relay (or contactor) is one in which one set of normally open contacts is put in series with the coil. Thus, any interruption in the coil current causes the coil to release that NO contact, requiring a manual (usually) reset.

You can get fancier with these circuits, but I think that's the basic ideas you need.

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Anonymous Poster
#2

Re: Difference Between Contactor and Circuit Breaker

02/15/2010 1:53 AM

The main difference is that a circuit breaker is designed to interrupt fault currents while a contactor is not. There are other differences in terms of cost, opening time, etc, which are of secondary importance.

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Anonymous Poster
#3
In reply to #2

Re: Difference Between Contactor and Circuit Breaker

05/08/2010 8:42 AM

i need a comprehensive circuit diagram,and a picturial view of a contactor.including its practical connection.

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#4
In reply to #3

Re: Difference Between Contactor and Circuit Breaker

03/30/2011 11:19 AM

Here, I have one set of overall wiring diagram manual covering all kinds of contactors application especially for you. Do you need one?

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