30 Advantages and Disadvantages of Contactor Explained!

The contactor is an indispensable part of switching technology. The contactor has several advantages and disadvantages. The following list summarizes these benefits and drawbacks.

Advantages of Contactor

Some of the advantages of contactor are as follows:

• It has a simple operating principle.
• It has a high load capacity.
• Its construction is not complex.
• It is available for different ratings.
• It is compact in size. (Especially mini contactors)
• It is cost-friendly. (Check price)
• It does not require so much maintenance.
• It can operate at very low and high temperatures.
• It has wide application areas such as motors, heaters, lighting, etc.
• It has various types such as power, mini, capacitor, modular, and bar type.
• It has a short installation time.
• It does not require extra cooling. The heat dissipation of its contacts is not so high.
• It has various terminal connection options. (Screw, spring, and busbar type)
• It has a long lifespan.
• It switches the current very fast.
• It has lots of mechanical and electrical accessories.
• It can withstand high inrush currents. (If it is not too high)
• It has very low power consumption.
• It can switch both AC and DC loads.

Disadvantages of Contactor

Some of the disadvantages of contactor are as follows:

• It does not have any protection function like circuit breakers.
• It is affected by noise and vibration.
• Its contacts can be welded easily.
• The coils can burn easily.
• It cannot be used in tough environmental conditions.
• It does not have a high ingress rating.
• It is not a new technology. It is been used for a century.
• Excessive temperature can cause derating.
• Harmonics can affect its coil. (Especially if it is an electronic type coil)
• It does not have any communication function.
• The aging of components causes corrosion.