Lighting Contactors

[Smash]

With a 100% LED lighting load can I get away with a definite purpose contactor ? Sized accordingly of course. Or will I need the 4X the price lighting contactor ? And if so why ? Ty in advance for any wisdom.

 

[augie47]

"Get away with" is an appropriate term.
Most definite purpose contactors are UL Recognized as a component part and not listed as a stand alone piece of equipment.
Most likely they will handle the load fine but your AHJ may not approve of them in that scenario.

 

[LarryFine]

I have gotten away with using them for everything from lighting to fire-suppression systems.

Nobody has ever asked about them or to see them.

 

[James L]

If you use a definite purpose, as I have many times, you need to see how many cycles it's rated for. Some are quite low

 

[petersonra]

Get an IEC style contactor. Typically only a little bit more than a DP contactor. But the IEC motor contactor is listed for all kinds of things.

 

[ptonsparky]

I’ve used DP contactors for about anything imaginable because I’ve seen them used that way by mfgs.

Hadn’t thought of IEC but they are more commonly available than in the past.

The advantage of the lighting contactor is they latch in, and the ones I’ve dealt with, can be manually transitioned when a coil fails.

 

[petersonra]

I’ve used DP contactors for about anything imaginable because I’ve seen them used that way by mfgs.

Hadn’t thought of IEC but they are more commonly available than in the past.

The advantage of the lighting contactor is they latch in, and the ones I’ve dealt with, can be manually transitioned when a coil fails.

You can generally add a latch attachment to an iec style contactor.

 

[Smash]

The difference and I’m not looking for a cheap way. I can get a DP 30amp 120v coil for $25 will still need a housing but lighting contactor same specs with housing $300plus that seems like a drastic difference and if you needed several the savings could add up. That all said I will go with a houses lighting contactor this is a very good customer of mine and I don’t want any problems down the road. Thx for the input.

 

[LarryFine]

Which type suits your control system better, latching or normal?

 

[ptonsparky]

i think the last lighting contactor we used could handle eight circuits.

 

[hillbilly1]

i think the last lighting contactor we used could handle eight circuits.

Square D makes them in up to 12 I believe.

8903LXO1200V02R6 - Contactor, Type L, multipole lighting, mechanically held, 30A, 12 pole, 600 V, 110/120 VAC 50/60 Hz coil, open style | Schneider Electric USA

Schneider Electric USA. 8903LXO1200V02R6 - Contactor, Type L, multipole lighting, mechanically held, 30A, 12 pole, 600 V, 110/120 VAC 50/60 Hz coil, open style.

www.se.com

 

[ptonsparky]

Square D makes them in up to 12 I believe.

Not counting the ones that switch panel boards.

 

[LarryFine]

Square D makes them in up to 12 I believe.

I'm sure they still cost a lot more per pole than three or four DP contactors.

 

[James L]

I'm sure they still cost a lot more per pole than three or four DP contactors.

A lot more.
I was going to replace one about for a restaurant being completely remodeled, then realized I didn't need as many poles.

But 8-pole was about $1,000

 

[hillbilly1]

ASCO makes a cheaper 12 pole that is also under the GE and Siemens name, but you just not going to get cheaper than a dp contactor.

 

[hillbilly1]

LCE00C002120A | CONTACTOR | LTG | EH | OPEN | 30A | 0NC | 2NO | 120V | Siemens Electrical

LCE00C002120A from Siemens Electrical at $257.50. 2 LB Weight. Get free shipping on orders over $999!

blackhawksupply.com

But you have to buy the additional poles separately. But they just snap in.

 

[LarryFine]

Not counting the ones that switch panel boards.

I'd lean towards switching an entire lighting panel with one large contactor.