Vacuum Contactors & Starters

Q: What is a vacuum contactor?

A vacuum contactor is a sealed environment where electrical contacts can make or break a connection between a power source and load inside a vacuum bottle. The vacuum provides a safe, clean environment where the arc can be contained and contaminants avoided.

Q: What is the main function of a vacuum contactor?

The main function of a vacuum contactor is simply to make and break the connection between the power source and the load. One side of contactor is fixed and the other is movable. Once energized, the generated electromagnetic force pulls the movable contact toward the stationary contact and the spring pulls the contactors apart once de-energized. In a vacuum contactor, this process is contained within a vacuum bottle, which can contain the arc and keep contaminants outside.

Q: What is the difference between a vacuum contactor and a vacuum circuit breaker?

Compared to vacuum circuit breakers, vacuum contactors are smaller in size and safer for higher voltages above 600Vs. Vacuum contactors offer lower current chopping and are well suited for applications with frequent switching, generally offering mechanical life of over 3 million operations.

Joslyn Clark low and medium voltage vacuum contactors load breaking devices for 3-Phase AC Motors and medium voltage switchgear with lower current chopping than vacuum breakers. Typical applications include motor controls for electric motors, transformer, and capacitor bank switching.

Our Advantage

Mechanical life up to 3 million operations
Electrical life up to 1 million operations
No special maintenance requirements
Minimal contact bounce and low arc energy minimizes risks of contact welding
High duty cycle, up to 1200 operations per hour
Ability to be mounted in any plane

Certifications

1140 Series Vacuum Contactors

This series of vacuum contactors delivers a heavy duty motor contactor where space is critical. These contactors are recognized by the mining industry as a must have for any starter contactor application, including longwall mining equipment, continuous miners, conveyors, power centers and other related equipment. With long electrical power life and compact size, the 1140 Series Vacuum Contactor gives you the low voltage contactor you need.

CV Series Compact Vacuum Contactors & Starters

CV Series Vacuum Contactors and Starters are built for harsh industrial applications. These motor contactors and motor starters give the ability to retrofit air break contactors. CV Series contactors enables an existing application to continue with reducing maintenance costs and eliminating down time. These starter contactors are suitable for worldwide applications and for use with all types of motors including high efficiency IEC and NEMA design E motors.

VC Series Vacuum Contactors

This low voltage and medium voltage vacuum contactor series incorporates many features to insure ease of maintenance, versatility, and reliability. These 3-phase motor contactors achieve optimal performance in voltages from 200V to 3.6kV and are rated for 50 to 3,700HP. In addition, the VC Series of starter contactors can be easily assembled and/or disassembled for quick maintenance.

MVC Series Medium Voltage Vacuum Contactors

MVC Series Medium Voltage Vacuum Contactors are 3-phase motor contactors built for control and protection in medium voltage applications ranging from 2kV to 7.2kV. These starter contactors is built in modular design for simplified assembly and easy inspection. The MVC Series offers in-line terminals and alternative line terminal position enabling line and load termination to be on same side of contactor.

SVC Series Super Vacuum Contactors

SVC Series medium voltage vacuum contactors are multiple Joslyn Clark VC Series or MVC Series contactors linked together. SVC Series delivers up to 1.5k Amps switching power for applications with grueling switching demands in harsh environments. This three-phase, non-latching vacuum contactor can also be used in a wide range of power systems, such as transformer and capacitor loads, with a rated voltage of up to 7.2kV.

Commonly Asked Questions About Vacuum Contactors

What is a vacuum contactor?