FURNAS Innova Plus Contactors for Motor Control and Protection

So how does a motor starter and the contacts in it work?  In this example we’re using a Furnas GP40 Contactor in the Innova Plus Series. Furnas is now owned by Siemens.

To illustrate, let’s look at the electrical process that puts everything in motion when a pushbutton is depressed, sending electrical power to a motor.

When a pushbutton is depressed, it sends electrical power to a contactor in a motor starter. Inside the motor, electrical current is sent to a coil. The energized coil moves a metal plate downward in the contactor and mates with a stationary contact to complete the circuit.
 
 

Electrical Contacts In Motor Starters Complete a Circuit

This completes a circuit and starts the motor, or a series of motors.  So, a contact is simply an electrically-controlled switch that completes or interrupts a circuit.

A motor starter is a contactor with overload relays that provide electromechanical protection to the circuit. The contactor and overloads are most often mounted in a metal enclosure.



Some contactors are mounted on rails,








You should now have a better understanding of how motor starters and electrical Contacts in them work. You can watch this process in our video “How Do Motor Starters and Electrical Contacts Work?”  Featuring the Furnas GP40 contactor.

Repco has been providing replacement electrical contacts, coils and contactor parts for over 40 years.
Need help with selecting the right electrical contact kit or other parts for your control application? Contact a Repco sales representative at 800.822.9190