Contactor in a panel

[michael mckague]

I recently found a 3-pole contactor in a panelboard that controlled the o/s lights. The panel was a late model which had a lot of room in it and the breakers in the panel protected the circuits for the contactor, legal?

 

[masterinbama]

You can order them with the contactors built in from the factory.

 

[jumper]

Legal, we put current sensors and such in panels and disconnects all the time.

As long as gutter fill is fine and contactor is listed for such, not a problem.

 

[iwire]

I recently found a 3-pole contactor in a panelboard that controlled the o/s lights. The panel was a late model which had a lot of room in it and the breakers in the panel protected the circuits for the contactor, legal?

It is almost imposable to put a contractor in a panelboard

Panelboard. A single panel or group of panel units designed
for assembly in the form of a single panel, including
buses and automatic overcurrent devices, and equipped
with or without switches for the control of light, heat, or
power circuits; designed to be placed in a cabinet or cutout
box placed in or against a wall, partition, or other support;
and accessible only from the front.

You can easily and legally put one in a cabinet

Cabinet. An enclosure that is designed for either surface
mounting or flush mounting and is provided with a frame,
mat, or trim in which a swinging door or doors are or can
be hung.

 

[infinity]

It is almost imposable to put a contractor in a panelboard


You can easily and legally put one in a cabinet

I guess it depends on what type of setup we're looking at. Regarding the OP, since the contactor is connected to the bus in the panelboard and functions as a section of the panelboard IMO it's part of the panelboard not the cabinet.

 

[iwire]

I guess it depends on what type of setup we're looking at. Regarding the OP, since the contactor is connected to the bus in the panelboard and functions as a section of the panelboard IMO it's part of the panelboard not the cabinet.

I agree if the factory shipped the contactor as part of the panelbaord it is all one panelboard.

However, for you or I or the OP it is almost imposable to install a contactor in a panelboard, about the only way I can think of is some sort of factory authorized kit made for field installation.

 

[Cow]

It is almost imposable to put a contractor in a panelboard





You can easily and legally put one in a cabinet

One little "r" sure changes things....

I've been "in" switchgear, but I'm too big for a panel!

 

[templdl]

I sold panels with slit bus where ther was commonly a main breaker feeding one bus which fed the contactor which controlled the second bus.

 

[kwired]

It is almost imposable to put a contractor in a panelboard

Panelboard. A single panel or group of panel units designed
for assembly in the form of a single panel, including
buses and automatic overcurrent devices, and equipped
with or without switches for the control of light, heat, or
power circuits; designed to be placed in a cabinet or cutout
box placed in or against a wall, partition, or other support;
and accessible only from the front.


You can easily and legally put one in a cabinet

First thing are you talking about putting a contactor or a contractor in a panelboard

Second in that definition it means the panelboard is designed to place in a cabinet or cutout box and has nothing to do with other equipment that may be in same cabinet or cutout box.

 

[michael mckague]

It was an add on, not the split bus and the like. Not part of the original equipment, just a 120v coil magnetically held contactor that measures 4"sq at best. Its in the cabinet with the panelboard. Didn't think to ask the customer where the cabinets were, out of fear they might take me to the breakroom.:roll:

 

[iwire]

Second in that definition it means the panelboard is designed to place in a cabinet or cutout box and has nothing to do with other equipment that may be in same cabinet or cutout box.

First off I can't spell well, thank you for taking the time to bust my balls about it, very helpful. :roll:

Second I have no idea the point you are trying to make about the panelboard definition.

I was pointing out that a panelboard doesn't include an enclosure.

 

[kwired]

First off I can't spell well, thank you for taking the time to bust my balls about it, very helpful. :roll:

I'm here if you need me, you don't even have to ask.

Second I have no idea the point you are trying to make about the panelboard definition.

I was pointing out that a panelboard doesn't include an enclosure.

I was pretty sure you probably knew that. Somehow your post didn't seem that clear - and maybe more so to someone that did not know that. Sorry if I seemed condescending - that was not the intention.