I need to be able to start an overhead exhaust fan with the contactor being about 500 ' from the location needed. Does anyone know if there are any remote controlled contactors made that I could use for this purpose ? I would like to have it remote controlled because I want to avoid running about 500 ' of conduit. Thanks for any help.
Are there any remote control contactors for 3 phase motor loads( exhaust fans, etc.)
- Thread starter steve61
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DBill64
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- Washington, USA
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- I&E Technician
I know Scheider Electric offers a remote control relay module with their Harmony XB5R series. You could use that to control a contactor, since it's literally a remote controllable SPDT relay. But you still have to provide power for the relay module, and power for the contactor coil so you would need to have 24-240 volts available (if using the XB5RFB01). Also 500' distance for it to be remote controllable is a tall order to begin with. Looking at the XB5R's manual, it's good up to 100 meters if in the absolute best case scenario (clear line of sight).
Do you have any available power at the location you want the contactor to be located? Does the contactor absolutely have to be 500' from the location you intend to control it from?
You could perhaps look at doing something with PoE. Then you would just have to run 500' of ethernet cable.
Do you have any available power at the location you want the contactor to be located? Does the contactor absolutely have to be 500' from the location you intend to control it from?
You could perhaps look at doing something with PoE. Then you would just have to run 500' of ethernet cable.
DBill64
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- Washington, USA
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- I&E Technician
Oh they do offer a relay antenna to extend the signal range, but again trying to push it out to 500' might not be possible. Also the relay antenna requires it's own power source of 24-240 volts AC/DC as well.
www.se.com
I think the intended positioning of it is on/near the enclosure with the remote controlled relay module so you can use one power supply to power both.
ZBRA1 - Wireless and batteryless range, Harmony XB5R, Relay Antenna, AC DC, 5m cable output | Schneider Electric USA
Schneider Electric USA. ZBRA1 - Wireless and batteryless range, Harmony XB5R, Relay Antenna, AC DC, 5m cable output.
I think the intended positioning of it is on/near the enclosure with the remote controlled relay module so you can use one power supply to power both.
The contactor is located in a motor control center. The relay is fed with 460 vac 3 phase. The location where the remote control needs to be has plenty of power available. The motor control center is inside of a concrete block wall. I could install the antenna on the outside of the room making it a clear line of sight to aim the remote control at. The contactor is already in operation with a selector switch on the lid of the contactor panel. It is actually more like 250 to 300 feet line of sight. The 500 foot figure that I listed was just a quick estimate.
hillbilly1
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- North Georgia mountains
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hillbilly1
Senior Member
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- North Georgia mountains
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- Owner/electrical contractor
Finally found range, only 100’ line of site.
VirutalElectrician
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- Mpls, MN
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- Sparky - Trying to be retired
Finding something wireless that will reliably work 500' in an industrial environment is going to be tough.
There's a plethora of ethernet and WiFi relays that could be used to open/close any contactor you want. But I'm assuming you also want some sort of push button on a wall to turn it on rather than on someone's phone.
There's a plethora of ethernet and WiFi relays that could be used to open/close any contactor you want. But I'm assuming you also want some sort of push button on a wall to turn it on rather than on someone's phone.
DBill64
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- Washington, USA
- Occupation
- I&E Technician
You could try something like in this diagram. The remote control in this example is the Schneider remote push button that has to be mounted into an enclosure of some sort. It doesn't need power run to it, but it is not a handheld remote like a garage door controller or key fob.
The range may still be an issue because the transmitter is located inside the button itself. It is pretty low powered, and derives all of its transmitting power from a dynamo that is run by the mechanical action of the button. They have maximum ranges listed in the manual, so I would try to target being well within those ranges.
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herding_cats
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- Kansas
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- Mechanical Engineer
PM me I can design something for you, by WiFi or cell connection. My Pelican Wirelless system has a range of 6000 feet in open direct reach, like across a building roof or land.
www.advancedrooftopcontrols.com
www.advancedrooftopcontrols.com