Contactor Wiring

[Dru]

I am in the middle of a debate as to how to connect this contactor in the attached picture.

The live feeds are going from the breakers to number 2 in each contactor (1L1 to number 2 in the first contactor, 1L2 to number 2 in the second contactor etc) and there is a neutral from the neutral bar in the board to A2 in the first contactor which is then linked to A2 in the other contactors.

Which terminals would the outgoing live and neutral cables go in to for each contactor?

Simple as that.

Please can somebody put and end to this. The person I am debating with is severely annoying as he is adamant he knows how to connect it and will not have it when I am telling him he is wrong.

Thanks

 

[Dru]

Virtually a carbon copy of what I drew as an example of how it should be connected.

case closed.

thanks mate

 

[cossie400]

Terms 1 and 2 is one pole and 3 and 4 another pole, so if it were me I'd put incoming live in term 1 and out going on term 2.
The neutrals I'd have incoming in 3 and outgoing in 4.

You're correct when saying A2 is connected to Neutral, A1 needs to be your switch wire so for example- wire from a 6amp breaker to whatever you are using to operate the contractors (switch or push button etc) then from that to A1. If they are all switched at the same time by one switch just link the A1's together, if all individual then obviously don't link just repeat above for the rest.

 

[cossie400]

I presume he'd want to switch the neutrals too as having 2 pole contractors would be a waste of time.

 

[silverfox1]

I presume he'd want to switch the neutrals too as having 2 pole contractors would be a waste of time.

I assume they are switching lighting , if emergency fittings in that circuit and you break Neutral = no charge and EM fitting will come on.

 

[Dru]

I presume he'd want to switch the neutrals too as having 2 pole contractors would be a waste of time.

It came pre wired with nothing in terminal 3 so I don't think it is mate. Although I do see your point

 

[Dru]

I assume they are switching lighting , if emergency fittings in that circuit and you break Neutral = no charge and EM fitting will come on.

Air Con not lighting

 

[cossie400]

I assume they are switching lighting , if emergency fittings in that circuit and you break Neutral = no charge and EM fitting will come on.

Correct, but if that's the case why not just use an 8pole for example? If it is lighting then just take the circuit neutrals straight into the board, seems odd to have 2 pole that's why I assumed it was non lighting or at least non emergency.

 

[cossie400]

Air Con not lighting

In that case live and neutral in on 1 and 3 and live and neutral out on 2 and 4. Leave the pre wired neutral in A2 and you just need to put a switch live to A1.

 

[silverfox1]

Correct, but if that's the case why not just use an 8pole for example? If it is lighting then just take the circuit neutrals straight into the board, seems odd to have 2 pole that's why I assumed it was non lighting or at least non emergency.

Just sayin I have come across it before, in this case I stand corrected.

 

[cossie400]

Just sayin I have come across it before, in this case I stand corrected.

fair enough mate, didn't mean to come across as a **** or anything, I've come across that exact problem at work too when someone had wired it like that yet wondered why the emergencies would come on every time they were switched off lol.

 

[silverfox1]

No problem Cossie 2 heads always better than one.

 

[vernam616]

Jesus its a contactor !

The debate is a joke, it seriously concerns me at some answers i have seen about how to wire a contactor, this is basic apprentice stuff!

 

[Top-Spark]

Jesus its a contactor !

The debate is a joke, it seriously concerns me at some answers i have seen about how to wire a contactor, this is basic apprentice stuff!

I was just writing the same thing!! Unbelievable!! :-/

 

[Darkwood]

It dont matter how much you learn at college and how much experience on site you have ..when you come across even things as basic as the OP's contactor if you never actually used one before you can only do but question whether you have done it correctly especially like the contactor their are various methods on how you run you loads through them i.e. as single pole line only or double L/N and how to control switching...

I could drop many things on your lap you have never used but are basic and i guarantee you won't be confident you have connected them correctly even with the relevant info' supplied with it... so give the OP a little room rather than slate him if you so clear on contactors answer me this .... what 'ac' rating would the contactor need to be rated at to run some high inductive lighting load?

 

[44ALLAN]

Jesus its a contactor !

The debate is a joke, it seriously concerns me at some answers i have seen about how to wire a contactor, this is basic apprentice stuff!

Depends on your apprenticeship surely!
I'd guess at least 50%.............and I'm guessing..............of all domestic sparks on here have never wired a single phase contactor circuit up and 75/90% wouldn't go near a 3 phase contactor and control circuit?
Nowt wrong with that but why would you say this 'debate' is a joke?

Strange opinion if you don't mind me saying?