VACUUM CONTROL
Vacuum Contactors and Starters were designed for starting and controlling three-phase, 50/60 Hz, AC motors. Each contact is enclosed in a vacuum bottle to reduce and contain contact arcing. This design offers excellent performance for plugging and jogging applications.
Application Description
The Vacuum Contactors and Starters are offered in three classifications. They are NEMA rated devices up to 600V AC, Special Purpose rated devices up to 1500V AC and Mining rated devices rated up to 1500V AC. Each device is tested to different standards to serve their market. Typical applications include full voltage control of three-phase squirrel cage motors, primary control of low voltage wound rotor motors and circuit switching for low voltage capacitors for power factor improvement.
A vacuum contactor is affected by atmospheric pressure on the bellows of the vacuum bottles. Up to an altitude of 6600 feet, the contactor is designed to tolerate normal variations in barometric pressure. If the contactor is to be operated above 6600 feet above sea level, consult your Cutler- Hammer representative.
Features
- Rugged, compact and lightweight
- Quiet operation
- Electrical and mechanical interlocks available
- Long service life
Benefits
- Easy maintenance with front removable coil and auxiliaries
- Eliminate extra surge suppressors with the standard low chop interrupters
- Plan your preventative maintenance schedule by utilizing the contact wear indicator, standard on all vacuum bottles
Operation
The contact structure of the vacuum break contactor is located inside sealed ceramic tubes that have been evacuated of air. Any arc occurring across the contacts upon opening is automatically extinguished because ionized air is not available to sustain it — the arc breaks when the current passes through zero. The arc typically does not service beyond the first half cycle once the contacts begin to separate. The large arc chutes normally associated with contactors of this size are not required. The ceramic tube with the moving and stationary contacts is called a vacuum interrupter or bottle. There is one bottle for each pole on the contactor. A metal bellows (like a small, circular accordion) within the bottle allows the moving contact to be closed and pulled open from the outside without leaking air into the bottle. Both the bellow and the metal- to-ceramic seals of these state-of-the- art bottles have been refined to the point where the possibility of loss of vacuum has been virtually eliminated.
Standards and Certifications
- NEMA Devices
- UL Listed File #E1491, Guide Number NLDX
- CSA Approved
Special Purpose Devices
- IEC 947-4-1
- CE Approved EN 60947-4-1
- UL Listed File #E1491, Guide Number NLDX
- CSA Approved
NEMA RATED PRODUCTS
Eaton has the broadest line of enclosed NEMA rated motor starting devices on the market. Eaton's line of motor starters meets the most stringent requirements in the industry. Eaton provides starters with and without main disconnect devices, combination and non-combination respectively, with a variety of modifications available. Eaton provides customers with the highest quality enclosed motor starters using NEMA motor starter families IT., Freedom, and Advantage Starters. Additional available options include control power transformers, pushbuttons, pilot lights and selector switches.
IT. Intelligent Technologies
The Cutler-Hammer® Intelligent Technologies (IT.) Electro-Mechanical line of Contactors and Starters from Eaton's electrical business is the result of a substantial engineering, manufacturing and marketing effort involving extensive customer input, combined with new advances in solid-state technology. IT. Electro-Mechanical products have greatly increased functionality, significantly reduced size and utilize the benefits of 24V DC control. The exclusive Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) control and digital microprocessor generate a minimized DC value, which reduces energy to the contact block and provides the most compact system available.
Freedom
Cutler-Hammer® Freedom Series Starters and Contactors from Eaton's electrical business feature a compact, space-saving design, using state-of-the-art technology and the latest in high strength, impact and temperature resistant insulating materials.
Advantage
Offering motor overcurrent protection accurate to 2% at maximum FLC, Advantage maintains constant coil power regardless of varying control circuit conditions, eliminating coil burnout, contact chatter and welding due to low voltage of fluttering control signals. Multifunction overload protection options provide application flexibility while reducing inventory. Communication capability extends benefits, allowing Advantage to be interactively linked to higher order control systems for monitoring, troubleshooting and control.
HVAC
The Cutler-Hammer® ECH Line of combination starters from Eaton's electrical business was developed specifically for customers in the HVAC industry. The ECH product combines the requirements of motor overload and short circuit protection into one package. These starters were designed to be compact and to offer the basic features prevalent in the HVAC marketplace, CPT, HOA and Red Pilot Light. The line includes the Freedom Line of FVNR NEMA Starters with either (C306) interchangeable heaters or solid-state overload relays.
IEC RATED PRODUCTS
IEC starters give OEM's the ability to select motor starting equipment specific to their motor starting needs. Eaton provides starters with and without main disconnect devices, combination and non-combination respectively, with a variety of modifications available. Eaton provides customers with the highest quality enclosed motor starters using IEC motor starter families IT., XT, and Freedom Starters. Additional available options include control power transformers, pushbuttons, pilot lights and selector switches.
IT. Intelligent Technologies
The Cutler-Hammer® Intelligent Technologies (IT.) Electro-Mechanical line of Contactors and Starters from Eaton's electrical business is the result of a substantial engineering, manufacturing and marketing effort involving extensive customer input, combined with new advances in solid-state technology. IT. Electro-Mechanical products have greatly increased functionality, significantly reduced size and utilize the benefits of 24V DC control. The exclusive Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) control and digital microprocessor generate a minimized DC value, which reduces energy to the contact block and provides the most compact system available.
XT IEC Power Control
The Cutler-Hammer® XT Line from Eaton's electrical business includes IEC Contactors, Starters and Combination Motor Controllers (CMCs). Designed to meet International Standards, the Enclosed Control XT Line (ECX), carries UL and cUL certifications to support the IEC market.
- Nonmetallic and metallic enclosures in Types 1 (IP23), 4 (IP66), 4X (IP66) and 12 (IP65)
- Opaque (standard) or clear covers available on nonmetallic Halyester enclosure
- Combination styles are available with circuit breakers, fuses, or as combination motor controllers
Freedom IEC
The Cutler-Hammer® Freedom Line from Eaton's electrical business includes IEC Contactors and Starters with fixed heaters, interchangeable heaters and solid-state overload relays.
