Three-Pole Contactor

A three-pole contactor is an electromagnetic switching device for three-phase loads, built to IEC 60947-4-1. It is selected by AC-3 current rating (9 A to 95 A in this line), coil voltage (110/220/440 V) and the utilization category of the load.

The three-pole contactor is the switching device used to connect and disconnect motors, pumps, fans, heaters and other three-phase loads from a control circuit. At TECTUL it is quoted by industrial line according to operating current, coil voltage, utilization category and control accessories. The actual product description includes 110/220/440 V coils as required, currents from 9 A to 95 A and auxiliary contacts when the panel requires indication, interlocking or additional logic. Its selection must be distinguished from a manual motor starter/motor protection circuit breaker and from an overload relay: the contactor switches the load; the motor protection circuit breaker protects and provides isolation; the overload relay trips on prolonged overload when coupled to the contactor. For motor applications, the IEC 60947-4-1 standard family is used as a technical reference for contactors and motor starters.

Selection guide

• Confirm the rated current of the motor or load and do not select only by commercial horsepower.
• Define a coil voltage compatible with the panel control circuit.
• Validate the utilization category: motors, heaters and mixed loads do not require the same contactor.
• Request auxiliary contacts if you need run, stop, fault or interlock signals.
• Indicate whether the contactor will be used with an overload relay, motor protection circuit breaker, timer or enclosed starter.

Mounting recommendations

• Install inside a panel with ventilation and space for heat dissipation.
• Tighten terminal torque according to the datasheet of the supplied equipment manufacturer.
• Separate power and control wiring to reduce electrical noise in coils and signals.
• Verify actual coil voltage before energizing to prevent humming, dropout or burnout.
• Label inputs, outputs and auxiliaries for industrial maintenance.

We dispatch three-pole contactors to Bogotá, Medellín, Cali, Barranquilla and all of Colombia. Request a quote via WhatsApp with voltage, current, application and required accessories.

Current-to-power equivalence in AC-3 (IEC 60947-4-1)

Correspondence published in IEC manufacturer catalogs for utilization category AC-3 at 415–440 V. The relevant IEC 60947-4-1 utilization categories are: AC-1 (non-inductive or slightly inductive loads such as resistance heating), AC-3 (squirrel-cage motors: making at 6 times rated current, breaking with the motor running) and AC-4 (inching and plugging: making and breaking at 6 times rated current).