IEC Contactors

What you need to know about IEC contactors.

IEC, which stands for the International Electrotechnical Commission. Similar to NEMA, the IEC is a regulatory body with their own sets of standards that govern electrical hardware and devices. IEC contactors are installed in control panels across commercial and industrial sectors around the world. It’s important to note that IEC standards and NEMA standards are not in competition with each other and they each stand on their own. Some situations may require IEC contactors, and some may require NEMA contactors, or maybe you just prefer one type to the other. Both types of contactors can get the job done.

The benefits of IEC contactors

There are many benefits to choosing an IEC contactor. First of all, IEC contactors are more modular as they are often sold as individual components and do not come pre-installed in a panel. IEC contactor ratings are extremely precise and are based on a specific application, device or motor rather than a simple horsepower or voltage rating. However this means you need in-depth knowledge of your device and application when choosing your contactor. Further, while IEC contactors have long lifespans, they are also designed to optimize the lifespan of the equipment it is feeding. Other benefits include their small size and ease of installation, as they are easily mounted on to DIN rail.