A contactor is an electrically controlled heavy-duty switch used to turn high-power circuits on and off. It works via electromagnetism: a low-voltage control signal energizes an internal coil, creating a magnetic field that pulls the contacts shut. This completes the high-voltage circuit to power devices like motors or compressors. [1, 2, 3, 4]
The Working Principle
A contactor functions through a straightforward mechanical-to-electrical process: [1]
Control Signal: A safe, low-voltage signal (e.g., 24V DC or 24V AC from a thermost