{"id":839,"date":"2019-12-23T08:53:38","date_gmt":"2019-12-23T08:53:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.cselectric.co.in\/blog\/?p=839"},"modified":"2025-01-24T13:24:48","modified_gmt":"2025-01-24T13:24:48","slug":"contactor-vs-control-relay-difference-contactor-control-relay","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cselectric.co.in\/blog\/contactor-vs-control-relay-difference-contactor-control-relay\/","title":{"rendered":"Contactor vs Control Relay: Difference between Contactor and Control Relay"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_80 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/cselectric.co.in\/blog\/contactor-vs-control-relay-difference-contactor-control-relay\/#So_whats_similarity_between_Contactor_and_Control_Relay\" >So what\u2019s similarity between Contactor and Control Relay?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/cselectric.co.in\/blog\/contactor-vs-control-relay-difference-contactor-control-relay\/#Whats_the_difference_between_Contactor_and_Control_Relay\" >What\u2019s the difference between Contactor and Control Relay?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/cselectric.co.in\/blog\/contactor-vs-control-relay-difference-contactor-control-relay\/#Control_Relay\" >Control Relay:<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/cselectric.co.in\/blog\/contactor-vs-control-relay-difference-contactor-control-relay\/#Contactor\" >Contactor:<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/cselectric.co.in\/blog\/contactor-vs-control-relay-difference-contactor-control-relay\/#Criteria\" >Criteria<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/cselectric.co.in\/blog\/contactor-vs-control-relay-difference-contactor-control-relay\/#Control_Relay-2\" >Control Relay<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/cselectric.co.in\/blog\/contactor-vs-control-relay-difference-contactor-control-relay\/#Contactor-2\" >Contactor<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/cselectric.co.in\/blog\/contactor-vs-control-relay-difference-contactor-control-relay\/#Safety_Features\" >Safety Features<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/cselectric.co.in\/blog\/contactor-vs-control-relay-difference-contactor-control-relay\/#Spring-Loaded_Contacts\" >Spring-Loaded Contacts:<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/cselectric.co.in\/blog\/contactor-vs-control-relay-difference-contactor-control-relay\/#Arc_Suppression\" >Arc Suppression:<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<p>Contactors and Control relays are electrically operated switches used for switching of loads and for controlling the electrical circuit respectively. Generally the medium of quenching of arc is air, so they are called air break contactors &amp; air break control relays. Since both he switches are used in same control panel, so it is confusing for the people to understand the difference between a contactor and control relay.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"So_whats_similarity_between_Contactor_and_Control_Relay\"><\/span>So what\u2019s similarity between Contactor and Control Relay?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/cselectric.co.in\/products-solutions\/low-voltage-switchgear\/contactors\/\">Contactor<\/a> and Control Relay work on same principle. They are basically electrically operated solenoid switches that are designed for the switching or control the loads. Moreover, both of them are constructed in a similar way:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Both, contactor and control relay, have a top housing which have set of normally open or normally closed contacts. The bottom housing in both cases, have a set of magnet and coil with external cover to protect all the internal parts.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Whats_the_difference_between_Contactor_and_Control_Relay\"><\/span>What\u2019s the difference between Contactor and Control Relay?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The key difference between <a href=\"https:\/\/cselectric.co.in\/products-solutions\/low-voltage-switchgear\/contactors\/robusta-contactors-overload-relays\/\">control relays<\/a> and contactors is the rating of current that they are designed to handle. Contactors are used for loads that have comparatively higher currents and higher system voltages.<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s a brief definition of Contactor &amp; Control Relay that will help you understand the key difference between the two:<br \/>\n<span id=\"control-relay\" style=\"margin-top: -60px; padding-bottom: 60px; display: block;\"><\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Control_Relay\"><\/span>Control Relay:<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>It is a device through which contacts in one circuit are operated by an alteration in conditions in the same circuit or in associated circuits.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Contactor\"><\/span>Contactor:<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>It is a device which is used for repeatedly establishing and interrupting an electric circuit under normal conditions.<\/p>\n<p>Below table illustrates four major differences between a Contactor and Control Relay:<\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th width=\"5%\"><\/th>\n<th width=\"25%\">\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Criteria\"><\/span>Criteria<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<\/th>\n<th width=\"35%\">\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Control_Relay-2\"><\/span>Control Relay<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<\/th>\n<th width=\"35%\">\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Contactor-2\"><\/span>Contactor<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"5%\">1<\/td>\n<td width=\"25%\">Size of the Device<\/td>\n<td width=\"35%\">Control Relays are comparatively smaller or same in size (upto contactor rating of 12A)<\/td>\n<td width=\"35%\">Contactors are larger in size when compared to Control relays<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"5%\">2<\/td>\n<td width=\"25%\">Current Switching Capacity<\/td>\n<td width=\"35%\">Control Relays are generally classified as carrying loads of 10A or less<\/td>\n<td width=\"35%\">A Contactor would be used for loads greater than 10A<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"5%\">3<\/td>\n<td width=\"25%\">Application<\/td>\n<td width=\"35%\">Control Relay is more commonly used in control circuits which are single phase circuits.<\/td>\n<td width=\"35%\">Contactors are typically built for switching 3-phase load.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"5%\">4<\/td>\n<td width=\"25%\">Auxiliary Contacts<\/td>\n<td width=\"35%\">A Control Relay consists of at least two NO\/NC contacts<\/td>\n<td width=\"35%\">A Contactor consists of a minimum one set of three phase power contacts and in some cases additional in built auxiliary contacts are also provided.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"5%\">5<\/td>\n<td width=\"25%\">Open\/Closed Contact Standards<\/td>\n<td width=\"35%\">Control Relays can and often are both Normally Open and\/or Normally Closed depending on the desired function.<\/td>\n<td width=\"35%\">Contactors, on the other hand, are almost exclusively designed to operate with normally open (Form A) contacts.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"5%\">6<\/td>\n<td width=\"25%\">System Voltage<\/td>\n<td width=\"35%\">Control Relays are usually rated to only 250V<\/td>\n<td width=\"35%\">Contactors are commonly rated for up to 1000V<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>Below are some other criteria that really differentiate the two devices:<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Safety_Features\"><\/span><strong>Safety Features <\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Spring-Loaded_Contacts\"><\/span>Spring-Loaded Contacts:<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Contactors are designed to carry high current, and hence contain additional safety features like spring-loaded contacts to ensure that the circuit is broken when de-energized \u2013 preventing the circuit from being energized when it is supposed to be off, spring loaded contacts also prevents the contact bouncing which result in long life of contacts. Since Control relays are designed for lower power, spring-loaded contacts are not so common.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Arc_Suppression\"><\/span>Arc Suppression:<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Due to the high loads contactors typically carry, they consist of arc suppression to quench the arc faster. As Control relays aren\u2019t designed for high loads, arc suppression is not common on Control relays.<\/p>\n<p>Choosing Between Contactors and Control Relays for Application<\/p>\n<p>When selecting between a contactor and a Control relay; always consider some crucial points.<\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th width=\"10%\"><\/th>\n<th width=\"45%\">When to Use a <strong>Control Relay<\/strong><\/th>\n<th width=\"45%\">When to Use a <strong>Contactor<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>1<\/td>\n<td>10A or less current<\/td>\n<td>9A or more current<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>2<\/td>\n<td>1 phase<\/td>\n<td>1 or 3 phase<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>3<\/td>\n<td>Up to 250VAC<\/td>\n<td>Up to 1000VAC<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>At C&amp;S Electric, we design and manufacture robust and versatile range of contactors and Control relays that are designed using modern technologies to deliver complete protection and safety with long mechanical and electric life. We offer a range of high reliability Contactors and Control Relays including RobusTa Contactors &amp; Overload Control Relays, Mini Contactor, D-Range Contactors, 2 Pole &amp; 4 Pole Contactors, exceeD Contactors, Robusta2 Contactors, Capacitor Duty Contactors and Definite Purpose Contactors.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Contactors and Control relays are electrically operated switches used for switching of loads and for controlling the electrical circuit respectively. Generally the medium of quenching of arc is air, so they are called air break contactors &amp; air break control relays. Since both he switches are used in same control panel, so it is confusing&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":844,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[251],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-839","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-knowledge"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Contactor vs Relay - Difference Between Relay and Contactors<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Contactor &amp; Control relays are electrically operated switches that control the electrical circuit. 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