What is Magnetic Contactor and How It's works.

We know that for power wiring / 3 phase motor wiring we use mostly the magnetic contactor or motor
starter. In this post we will study the magnetic contactor importance, working / function and it's uses
in electrical technology. I also share post about M contactor wiring diagram but this post specially for
function and working of 3 phase contactor or motor starter.

What is Magnetic Contactor?

We can also said that a contactor is type of electrical relay which we use for power electric motor to
start or stop. Contactor make easy to controlled 3 phase induction motors. We know that 3 phase
motor required three phase supply to run, 3 phase supply is two dangerous which we can not handle
with a circuit breakers for induction motor. Contactor make easy to handle the 3 phase motor
controlling. The parts of the magnetic contactor are coil, iron core, 3 contacts points and NC, NO
points.

Contactors

How a Magnetic contactor Works

The function of a contactor or motor starter is simple, when the AC supply goes to the contactor coil,
the coil make a strong magnetic field and field pulls the iron core to the coil and make a electrical
contacts.

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What are NC, NO in Contactor

The NC means the Normally close electric circuit or we can said it is a normally close contacts and NO
meas normally open contacts. In normal state when contactor coil does not energize the NC point is
normal close state and when the coil energized these NC contacts create a NO contacts between one
another, after coil deenergized NC contacts make a close circuit.

Same the NO contacts change on coil energizing to the NC contacts.

What is a thermal overload relay?

A thermal overload relay is a small electromechanical device that protects motors from overheating.
These relays help to control the electrical current that goes to the motor to prevent it from
overheating. If the motor pulls too much electricity for an extended period of time, the relay may flip
and cut the power to the motor to prevent damage.

Overload relay TH-P20E

The thermal overload relay has three bimetal pole, or strip, relays that are equipped with bimetal
tripping elements. The current for the motor runs through these three elements. The tripping
elements and poles are heated directly by the electrical current or indirectly by the current by passing
through the insulated heating winding that forms part of the protective housing around the pole, or
strip. When too much electrical current passes through the pole, it causes it to overheat. As the pole
overheats, it begins to bend. This causes the tripping elements to engage, releasing the relay and
causing the contacts to switch positions, shutting off the electrical supply to the motor. Because they
are designed to help avoid overheating and causing damage to the motor, the temperature readings
given by the thermal overload relay might be hotter than the motor actually is. The relay works to shut
off the excess electrical current before it reaches the motor which results in the temperature
discrepancy.