Lighting contactor troubleshooting

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Re: Lighting contactor troubleshooting

Thanks Jim. It looks like what I'm after. I could use the motor info it's got too. :cool:
 
Re: Lighting contactor troubleshooting

Just my two cents in...
If the armature is free to operate without binding and seals, then I would look at the control voltage.
A) Is the voltage between 90 and 110% of the listed coil voltage.
B) Is control current from the motion detector module a true AC? I have had some solid state switches (triac) fail and output half wave DC.
C). Did you install the 2 amp fuse in the supply
wiring as per the recommendation in the installation guide?

Just my thoughts.
 
Re: Lighting contactor troubleshooting

Now I may have missunderstood but you are using this contactor which is only good for 20 or 30 amps at 230 volts(which is only 10 or 15 amps at 120 volts) on 2-20 amp circuits. That adds up to 40 amps.This should create enough heat to eventually melt down whatever was near it.Your lucky you didn't start a fire.
 
Re: Lighting contactor troubleshooting

Originally posted by ron g:
Now I may have missunderstood but you are using this contactor which is only good for 20 or 30 amps at 230 volts(which is only 10 or 15 amps at 120 volts) on 2-20 amp circuits. That adds up to 40 amps.This should create enough heat to eventually melt down whatever was near it.Your lucky you didn't start a fire.
Click to expand...
The current rating does not change regardless of the voltage.

A 30 amp contactor remains a 30 amp contactor at 120 or 208 volts.
 
Re: Lighting contactor troubleshooting

Originally posted by ron g:
Now I may have missunderstood but you are using this contactor which is only good for 20 or 30 amps at 230 volts(which is only 10 or 15 amps at 120 volts) on 2-20 amp circuits. That adds up to 40 amps.This should create enough heat to eventually melt down whatever was near it.Your lucky you didn't start a fire.
Click to expand...
The whole point of the contactor is to control multiple circuits of lighting from one switching device.
Anyway, I am going back to check this out tomorrow. I suspect what I will do is call Seimens tech support while I am there for any input they might have to offer. Thanks for the info guys.
 
Re: Lighting contactor troubleshooting

Scott,

Seeing where this is a mechanicaly held contactor,it needs a momentary power ON and the same for OFF,so power at the coil should be very brief.If the load is the same as it was 3 yr. ago,I dout that load is an issue. I have a feeling that somewhere in the switching circuit that a sw. is sticking,broken,etc. etc. causing the problem. good luck

frank
 
Re: Lighting contactor troubleshooting

Last time I had to change one it was like Texelec said- the coil voltage was dropping and the thing chattered like crazy. Replaced the control xfmr and coil and back in business.
 
Re: Lighting contactor troubleshooting

Well I fixed the unit. The bad news is I found no smoking gun. I replaced the coil, the circuit board $$$, and the motion sensor that is controlling the contactor. All the voltages check out fine. Fingers crossed. Thanks for the assistance.
 
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