Difference Between AC & DC Contactors
by Alex Ramirez
Alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) contactors are found in many industrial motors, including many automobiles. The different contactors accomplish the same thing, but they do it in different ways, starting with how they are constructed.
Construction
DC relays use a freewheel diode that discharges the electromagnetic force that gathers in the inductance when the coil is de-energized, according to Electrotechnik.net. AC contactors do not utilize the freewheel diode construction; instead they use laminating cores to prevent loss from heat and and shading coils to keep electricity running efficiently through the device.
Differences
Due to the AC's shading coils, the device can be placed in any location, as long as it has room to operate. The DC contactor needs air when operating, so the device must have plenty of gaps around it to perform properly.
Customization
While the AC contactor is considered to be a more reliable and cheaper product, the DC contactor is engineered to allow custom speed and torque. This is ideal for projects that do not follow an already existing template, such as building a robot arm from scratch.
References
Writer Bio
Alex Ramirez has been a freelance writer since 2006. With a background in public relations, Ramirez has been featured in publications ranging from Gamers Daily News to USA Today. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in public relations from the University of Central Arkansas.
