Angelyn M.

Abajenza BSME 3A

Lab Report #1: Magnetic Contactors

Objectives

 Illustrate magnetic contactor

 Define magnetic contactor
 State the function of magnetic contactor
 Discuss the working principle and application of magnetic contactor
 Enumerate the example of open-loop and closed loop control system

Illustration

Discussion

What is Magnetic Contactor?

Magnetic contactor is a device that is powered by magnetism. Used to open and close
the contacts in the motor control circuit, may also be called a magnetic switch or a contactor.
An electromechanical switch employed in applications that require the process of the electric
circuit “making and breaking”, such as starter motors, heaters, and lighting applications. An
electromagnetic type contactor and it can operate automatically. It requires a small amount of
control circuit to turn on and off the load. Therefore, the operation of this contactor is safe
compared to manual contactor. This is the most used contactor in industrial applications. It
operates electromechanically and hence; it requires a very small amount of current to make a
connection between the load and power supply.

Function of Magnetic Contactor

The main function of the magnetic contactor is to transmit the energy from one point to
another by switching the contacts. When electricity flows through the magnetic contactor, it
causes the electromagnet to generate a strong magnetic field. This field pulls the iron core into
the coil, and creates an electrical arc. Electricity passes in through one contact and into the
contactor’s parent device in this manner. To deactivate, the contactor can be physically pulled
from the parent device. Also, in the absence of electrical current, the spring pushes the core
away from the coil, breaking the connection.
Working Principle of Magnetic Contactor

The magnetic contactor works on the principle of the closing of the main contacts as a
result of the coil energization and the opening of the main contacts as a result of the coil de-
energization.

When electric current flows to the magnetic field coil located in the center leg of the coil
core. This will create a magnetic field in which the magnetic field forces overcome the spring
force to cause the steel core to move down in this state (ON).

Two sets of contactors will change the operating condition,

 The normally closed (NC) contactor will open the contact point circuit and
 The normally open contactor (NO) will open the contact circuit, connect the circuit of
the contact point when there is no current flowing to the coil, all contactor magnetic
fields.

The control circuit consists of electromagnetism working with a spring system. Magnetism is
activated by the current -flowing through the coil- and the two magnetism come closer to each
other. This movement turns off the two magnetism. Therefore, the contacts close, and the
springs provide power to the contacts. When the control current is off, the contacts open.

Applications of Magnetic Contactors

Generally, magnetic contactors are used in motor starting applications to start and stop
the motor. The most commonly used type is the 3 pole contactor suitable for use in 3 phase
systems. In addition to motor applications, there are also areas of use such as heater, lighting,
DC switching, and transfer applications.

The Major Structure of the Magnetic Contactor

The basic elements of magnetic contactors are as follows.

 Iron core
The iron core is divided into two parts
 Fixed Core
It becomes an electromagnet when the coil is energized.
 Moving core
When the coil gets energized, a magnetic contactor is closed and it makes the
moving core slide into the fixed core.
 Coil
The coil is powered to pull the main contacts close, auxiliary contacts use the power
of that coil to operate.  
 Contact
There are mainly two types available.
 Main contact
The main contact is also known as “the main Contact”, is used in the power circuit to
connect the electrical system to the load. The main contacts are designed for hundreds
or more ampacity and auxiliary contacts are for tens or less.
 Auxiliary Contact
Auxiliary Contact is used with the “auxiliary contact control circuit” as a secondary
switching. The contacts may be normally open (NO) or normally close (NC). Normally
 open are open when the contactor is de-energized, whereas normally closed are
opposite. The auxiliary contacts are allowed to pass small currents, used to show the
status of the main contacts. In other words, it provides an interface to the control
system.

Angelyn M. Abajenza BSME 3A

Lab Report #1: Magnetic Contactors

Objectives

 Illustrate magnetic contactor

 Define magnetic contactor
 State the function of magnetic contactor
 Discuss the working principle and application of magnetic contactor
 Enumerate the example of open-loop and closed loop control system

Illustration

Discussion

What is Magnetic Contactor?

Magnetic contactor is a device that is powered by magnetism. Used to open and close
the contacts in the motor control circuit, may also be called a magnetic switch or a contactor.
An electromechanical switch employed in applications that require the process of the electric
circuit “making and breaking”, such as starter motors, heaters, and lighting applications. An
electromagnetic type contactor and it can operate automatically. It requires a small amount of
control circuit to turn on and off the load. Therefore, the operation of this contactor is safe
compared to manual contactor. This is the most used contactor in industrial applications. It
operates electromechanically and hence; it requires a very small amount of current to make a
connection between the load and power supply.

Function of Magnetic Contactor

The main function of the magnetic contactor is to transmit the energy from one point to
another by switching the contacts. When electricity flows through the magnetic contactor, it
causes the electromagnet to generate a strong magnetic field. This field pulls the iron core into
the coil, and creates an electrical arc. Electricity passes in through one contact and into the
contactor’s parent device in this manner. To deactivate, the contactor can be physically pulled
from the parent device. Also, in the absence of electrical current, the spring pushes the core
away from the coil, breaking the connection.

Working Principle of Magnetic Contactor

The magnetic contactor works on the principle of the closing of the main contacts as a
result of the coil energization and the opening of the main contacts as a result of the coil de-
energization.

When electric current flows to the magnetic field coil located in the center leg of the coil
core. This will create a magnetic field in which the magnetic field forces overcome the spring
force to cause the steel core to move down in this state (ON).

Two sets of contactors will change the operating condition,

 The normally closed (NC) contactor will open the contact point circuit and
 The normally open contactor (NO) will open the contact circuit, connect the circuit of
the contact point when there is no current flowing to the coil, all contactor magnetic
fields.

The control circuit consists of electromagnetism working with a spring system. Magnetism is
activated by the current -flowing through the coil- and the two magnetism come closer to each
other. This movement turns off the two magnetism. Therefore, the contacts close, and the
springs provide power to the contacts. When the control current is off, the contacts open.

Applications of Magnetic Contactors

Generally, magnetic contactors are used in motor starting applications to start and stop
the motor. The most commonly used type is the 3 pole contactor suitable for use in 3 phase
systems. In addition to motor applications, there are also areas of use such as heater, lighting,
DC switching, and transfer applications.

The Major Structure of the Magnetic Contactor

The basic elements of magnetic contactors are as follows.

 Iron core
The iron core is divided into two parts
 Fixed Core
It becomes an electromagnet when the coil is energized.
 Moving core
When the coil gets energized, a magnetic contactor is closed and it makes the
moving core slide into the fixed core.
 Coil
The coil is powered to pull the main contacts close, auxiliary contacts use the power
of that coil to operate.  
 Contact
There are mainly two types available.
 Main contact
 The main contact is also known as “the main Contact”, is used in the power circuit to
connect the electrical system to the load. The main contacts are designed for hundreds
or more ampacity and auxiliary contacts are for tens or less.
 Auxiliary Contact
Auxiliary Contact is used with the “auxiliary contact control circuit” as a secondary
switching. The contacts may be normally open (NO) or normally close (NC). Normally
open are open when the contactor is de-energized, whereas normally closed are
opposite. The auxiliary contacts are allowed to pass small currents, used to show the
status of the main contacts. In other words, it provides an interface to the control
system.

Types of Magnetic Contactors