Phoenix Contact has invested in a hybrid technology, in the field of functional safety, that can start and invert motors safely and reliably: CONTACTRON technology.
Thanks to this hybrid technology, Phoenix Contact offers safe motor starters to its customers. All the intelligent motor switching in one device, through a modern, robust, reliable and long-lasting control.
The CONTACTRON safe hybrid motor starters offer up to four functions: emergency stop, motor starter, reversing function, and motor protection against overload.
By combining several functions into a single device it avoids the need for additional devices that should be planned, wired and connected properly. For this reason and thanks to the narrow design it is possible to save space up to 89% (dimension: 22,5 mm wide).
Motor protection is adjustable with a bimetal function up to 9 A and the service life is 10 times longer than traditional relays thanks to gentle switching with CONTACTRON hybrid technology. This technology also reduces wiring costs up to 75% and the internal load and interlock circuits save time.
Safety is another requirement that these relays fulfill: there is a safe emergency stop that implemented safety function according to Performance Level e (PL e) /Category 3 (Cat. 3).
At this point maybe you are wondering how this technology ensures the durability and maximum system availability. The operating principle of CONTACTRON is based on a microprocessor-controlled hybrid combination of robust relay technology and wear-free solid-state technology. Wear-free semiconductors switch on and off the motor. On the other hand continuous operation is ensured by low-loss electromechanical contacts. Mechanical life of the switching contacts is ten times greater than the electrical duration. This is due to the electromechanical contacts because they are switched with almost zero current.
If you need some more details on the operating principle of this hybrid technology look at these videos made by Phoenix Contact.
