Top 7 Difference Between Contactor

And Relay
Top 7 Difference Between Contactor And Relay:

Relay and contactor are functionally doing same duty, but the major
difference between relay and contactor is that, contactor can carry
huge amount of current but relay can carry only less amount of
current from 0.1 A to 20 A. In this, we are going to see the 7 difference
between relay and contactors.

What is Contactor:

Contactor is an electromagnetic switch, which can be operated by

giving external power supply. The current carrying capacity of the
contactor’s contact tips are high and having ability to break large
amount of fault current (around several kA). Since they are coming
with the arc chute which is used to quenching the electrical arc
during opening condition.

What is relay:

The designing and working principle are same as a contactor, but they
are designed to carry a small amount of current. Since they seem
very small.
Common terms Between Contactor And Relay:

Contactors and relays are doing the duty of breaking (NO) and opening
(NC) of the circuit. Both are having electromagnetic coils; the coil
voltage depends on your source.  Sometime the contactor come with
additional auxiliary contacts that may be either NO or NC. These
auxiliary contacts get activated along with the main contacts.
Switching is achieved by energization and de-energization of the
contactor coils.

How to Choose Contactor and Relays:

When selecting between the two, some very general rules you can follow
to help

When to Use a Relay:

● 10A or less current

● Coil Voltage Up to 250VAC and DC

When to Use a Contactor:

● 9A or more current
● Up to 1000VAC
● 1 or 3 phase

Contactors are also chosen upon the ampere ratings of the load and
require an additional supply (either AC or DC depending upon the
type of contactor we use) for excitation. Finally, they are used for
power switching and are usually open.

Difference Between Contactor and Relay

S.No Contactor Relay

An electromagnetic switch can carry a huge amount of An electromagnetic switch can carry less
1
current Maximum 12,000A amount of current Max. 20A

2 Arc chute must be present for Suppressing electric arc Arc chute will not be present

3 Bigger Size Smaller size

 Mainly used for Switching power circuits such as Mainly used in control and automation
4 Transformer, Induction motor starters, Capacitor bank, circuits, protection circuits and switching
etc. small electronic circuits.

5 less number of NO and NC contact can be taken More number of contacts can be taken

6 Occupy less Space occupy More space

7 High Cost Less Cost

Contactor vs Control Relay:

Difference between Contactor
and Control Relay0

Contactors and Control relays are electrically operated switches used

for switching of loads and for controlling the electrical circuit respectively.
Generally the medium of quenching of arc is air, so they are called
air break contactors & air break control relays. Since both he
switches are used in same control panel, so it is confusing for the people
to understand the difference between a contactor and control relay.

So what’s similarity between a Contactor and a Control Relay?

Contactor and Control Relay work on same principle. They are

basically electrically operated solenoid switches that are designed for
the switching or control the loads.

Moreover, both of them are constructed in a similar way:

Both, contactor and control relay, have a top housing which have set of
normally open or normally closed contacts.

The bottom housing in both cases, have a set of magnet and coil with
external cover to protect all the internal parts.

What’s the difference between a Contactor and a Control Relay?

The key difference between control relays and contactors is the rating of
current that they are designed to handle.

Contactors are used for loads that have comparatively higher currents
and higher system voltages.
Here’s a brief definition of Contactor & Control Relay that will help you
understand the key difference between the two:

Control Relay: It is a device through which contacts in one circuit are

operated by an alteration in conditions in the same circuit or in
associated circuits.

Contactor: It is a device which is used for repeatedly establishing and

interrupting an electric circuit under normal conditions.

Below table illustrates four major differences between a Contactor and a

Relay:

Criteria Control Relay Contactor

 Control Relays are
Contactors are larger in size
comparatively smaller or
1 Size of the Device when compared to Control
same in size (upto contactor
relays
rating of 12A)

Control Relays are generally

Current Switching A Contactor would be used
2 classified as carrying loads
Capacity for loads greater than 10A
of 10A or less

Control Relay is more

commonly used in control Contactors are typically built
3 Application
circuits which are single for switching 3-phase load.
phase circuits.

A Control Relay consists of
4 Auxiliary Contacts
at least two NO/NC contacts
A Contactor consists of a
minimum one set of three
phase power contacts and in
some cases additional in
built auxiliary contacts are
also provided.

Control Relays can and

Contactors, on the other
often are both Normally
Open/Closed hand, are almost exclusively
5 Open and/or Normally
Contact Standards designed to operate with
Closed depending on the
normally open contacts.
desired function.

Control Relays are usually Contactors are commonly

6 System Voltage
rated to only 250V rated for up to 1000V

Below are some other criteria that really

differentiate the two devices:

Safety Features

● Spring-Loaded Contacts: Contactors are designed to carry high current, and

hence contain additional safety features like spring-loaded contacts to ensure
that the circuit is broken when de-energized – preventing the circuit from being
 energized when it is supposed to be off, spring loaded contacts also prevents the
contact bouncing which result in long life of contacts. Since Control relays are
designed for lower power, spring-loaded contacts are not so common.
● Arc Suppression: Due to the high loads contactors typically carry, they consist
of arc suppression to quench the arc faster. As Control relays aren’t designed for
high loads, arc suppression is not common on Control relays.

Choosing Between Contactors and Control

Relays for Application

When selecting between a contactor and a

Control relay; always consider some crucial
points.

Robust and versatile range of contactors and

Control relays that are designed using modern
technologies to deliver complete protection and
safety with long mechanical and electric life,
Range of high reliability.

Contactors Types: Mini Contactor, D-Range

Contactors, 2 Pole & 4 Pole Contactors, Duty
Contactors and Definite Purpose Contactors.