Motor Starter Contactors
Motor starter contactors are electrically operated switches that control the power that drives an electric motor. They are meant to handle the high volume of electric power needed by motors and are just what their name suggests: devices that start and stop electric motors safely and efficiently, using electromagnetic forces to open or close their contacts.
A motor starter contactor is an electrically controlled switch similar to a relay. A motor starter is a contactor that also has an overload relay. A motor starter contactor applies voltage to a contactor coil to close the contacts and to supply and interrupt electrical power to the circuit. A motor starter employs overload relays to protect the motor from load surges by shutting it down to prevent overheating.
Moving beyond simple on/off switching, motor starter contactors can also be equipped with something called auxiliary contacts. These power no other devices, save the switched motor current. They exist for control and signaling purposes, providing feedback to control systems, or even as a part of safety interlocks that would prevent a motor's unintended operation.
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