{"schemaVersion":1,"slug":"contactor","name":"Contactor","kind":"symbol","abbreviation":"KM","aliases":["motor contactor","power contactor"],"category":"control-circuits","drawingTypes":["SLD","Schematic"],"referenceFamilies":["IEC","IEEE / ANSI"],"summary":"An electrically operated switching device commonly used for repeated switching duties.","description":["A contactor uses an operating mechanism to switch its main contacts and may include auxiliary contacts for control or indication. On a power drawing it represents the main switching path; on a schematic its coil and contacts may be distributed and connected by identifiers.","Its ability to switch a particular load depends on the selected device and utilization category. Overload or short-circuit protection can be provided by other devices in the arrangement. Do not treat the generic contactor representation as a complete protective device."],"readingNotes":["Distinguish main power poles from auxiliary control contacts.","Use the common equipment identifier to connect the power and control drawings."],"drawingChecklist":["Reference the load duty and contactor specification.","Show the coil supply and associated contacts.","Identify separate protective equipment where applicable."],"distinction":"A contactor and circuit breaker have different duties. Adding an overload relay does not make every contactor assembly equivalent to a circuit breaker.","facts":[{"label":"Main role","value":"Repeated electrical switching"},{"label":"Tag example","value":"KM is a convention, not a universal requirement"},{"label":"Protection","value":"Confirm the complete arrangement"}],"references":[{"sourceId":"switching-devices","relevance":"Manufacturer description of contactors and associated protection."},{"sourceId":"autodesk-contacts","relevance":"Public operating-coil and contact representations."}],"related":["relay-coil","motor","circuit-breaker","normally-open-contact"],"artwork":"contactor","publishedOn":"2026-10-13","updatedOn":"2026-10-13","provenance":"independent-public-research","url":"https://eloragrid.ai/symbols/contactor","illustration":{"url":"https://eloragrid.ai/library/illustrations/contactor.svg","scope":"Original educational concept; not an official standard graphic or product footprint","license":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"sources":[{"id":"switching-devices","title":"Elementary switching devices","publisher":"Schneider Electric — Electrical Installation Guide","url":"https://www.electrical-installation.org/enwiki/Elementary_switching_devices","type":"manufacturer","scope":"Explains disconnectors, load-break switches, contactors and fuses. The manufacturer diagrams remain at the source.","checkedOn":"2026-10-13","reuse":"link-only","relevance":"Manufacturer description of contactors and associated protection."},{"id":"autodesk-contacts","title":"Relays and contacts: public symbol reference","publisher":"Autodesk","url":"https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2021/ENU/AutoCAD-Electrical/files/GUID-011C62B8-9EC8-485C-B47D-B22A3F7B7574.htm","type":"cad-reference","scope":"Normally open, normally closed and changeover contacts, relay coils and latching relay variants.","checkedOn":"2026-10-13","reuse":"link-only","relevance":"Public operating-coil and contact representations."}]}