Coil
Relay coil
The operating element associated with a relay and its separately drawn contacts.
Schematic
Symbols · KM
Contactor
An electrically operated switching device commonly used for repeated switching duties.
SLD / Schematic · KM
What it represents
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.
How to read it
- Distinguish main power poles from auxiliary control contacts.
- Use the common equipment identifier to connect the power and control drawings.
Information to show or reference
- Reference the load duty and contactor specification.
- Show the coil supply and associated contacts.
- Identify separate protective equipment where applicable.
A distinction that matters
A contactor and circuit breaker have different duties. Adding an overload relay does not make every contactor assembly equivalent to a circuit breaker.
Sources you can follow
These public references support the explanation and provide further detail. Their graphics and downloadable files remain with their publishers.
Elementary switching devices
Manufacturer description of contactors and associated protection.
Relays and contacts: public symbol reference
Public operating-coil and contact representations.
About this graphic
This illustration was authored independently by Elora Grid to explain the concept. It is not reproduced from a customer drawing, an official standard graphic or a manufacturer CAD file. Its correspondence to an exact IEC or IEEE symbol identifier has not been certified.
SVG and DXF downloads contain this original artwork. DXF uses unscaled drawing units; a GA envelope supplies no product dimensions, clearances or fabrication information. Original artwork is available under CC BY 4.0. Third-party references retain their own terms.
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