Schneider Capacity duty contactors

Description

Schneider’s capacitor-duty contactors—part of the TeSys D/K series such as the LC1DWK12M5—are specifically engineered to handle the high inrush and reactive switching demands of capacitor banks. With features like pre-wired damping resistors and early-make poles, these contactors offer safe and reliable operation in demanding power correction applications.
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Typical Model and Specifications

• Model: LC1DWK12M5 (TeSys D/K series)

• Switching Capacity: Up to 60 kVAR at 415 V AC (and up to 104 kVAR at 690 V)

• Coil Voltage: 220 V AC, 50 Hz

• Pole Configuration: 3-pole (3 NO) with early-make auxiliary design and built-in damping resistors

• Auxiliary Contacts: 1 NO + 2 NC
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Features

• Designed for high inrush reactive loads (capacitor banks)

• Built-in damping resistors for arc suppression

• Early-make auxiliary poles (improved switching sequencing)

• Rugged and durable TeSys D/K construction, suitable for frequent switching cycles
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Applications

• Switching and protection of capacitor banks in power factor correction systems

• Industrial and commercial electrical panels managing reactive power

• Substation or distribution boards where rapid capacitor switching is required to maintain load balance and voltage stability

Advantages

• Handles high reactive switching currents safely

• Reduces electrical stress with damping resistor integration

• Ensures reliable operation in PF correction networks

• Compatible with standard motor control architectures, simplifying panel integration
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Disadvantages

• More expensive and complex than standard motor contactors

• Requires proper derating or sizing according to VA and inrush current

• Not designed for capacitive switching? Standard contactors may fail prematurely