CONTACTOR

A contactor is an electrically controlled switch used for switching an electrical power circuit, similar to a
relay except with higher current ratings. A basic contactor will have a coil input (which may be driven by
either an AC or DC supply depending on the contactor design). The coil may be energized at the same
voltage as a motor the contactor is controlling, or may be separately controlled with a lower coil voltage
better suited to control by programmable controllers and lower-voltage pilot devices.