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A contactor is nothing more than a switch but it is electrically operated instead of mechanically operated as you would find with snap switches in your home.
As with any switch, you need to make sure it is rated for the voltage and amps you intend to feed through it. You will have a pair if terminals for each hot wire. In addition you have terminals for the coil that operates the contactor. Very often this is a smaller voltage but not always. These control wires may be connected to any piece of control equipment, which may be a snap switch, but may also be a thermostat, light or motion sensor, or various types of hydraulic sensors such as pressure, flow, or float. In today's technology the coil may be activated by computer signal which may be reading many different conditions.
What else can I help you with?
What size ground wire is needed for 20 amp?
A #14 wire will do fine for grounding a 20 amp device. That is the size of the ground wire in a 2 conductor # 12 wire building cable.
Can 13 gauge wire be connected to a 20 amp breaker?
No, because NEC says that 12 AWG wire is the smallest wire that can safely handle 20 A. If you installed a smaller wire on a 20 A breaker you could possibly overheat the wire and cause it to fail, which can start a fire. It would not be to code. And the National Electrical code does not list a 13 gauge wire.
Can you hook a 15 amp and 20 amp breaker to a breaker box using 20 amp wire?
If the full load amps rating of the motor on the name plate is exactly 15 amps you need to use # 12 wire. If it is a longer run you may have to go up one more wire size. The breaker size you need is 30 amps.
Is it ok to exchange a 20 amp breaker with a 40 amp breaker?
No. The 20 amp breaker is probably protecting a #12 wire. Connecting a 40 amp breaker to the 20 amp #12 wire would seriously overload the #12 wire. This means that if the load increased to a full 40 amps the insulation on the smaller size wire would most likely melt off and the wire could short out.
Is connecting 20 amp breaker to 14 gauge wire safe?
No, connecting a 20 amp breaker to 14 gauge wire is not safe. The National Electrical Code (NEC) specifies that 14 gauge wire is rated for a maximum of 15 amps. Using a 20 amp breaker could lead to overheating and potentially cause a fire hazard if the wire is overloaded. It is recommended to use 12 gauge wire for a 20 amp circuit to ensure safety and compliance with electrical codes.
Can you replace a 50 amp contactor with a 40 amp contactor?
Replacing a 50 amp contactor with a 40 amp contactor is not advisable, as the 40 amp contactor may not be able to handle the load safely. This could lead to overheating, failure of the contactor, or potential damage to the connected equipment. It's essential to match the contactor's rating to the load requirements for safe and reliable operation. Always consult with a qualified electrician for such replacements.
What is the maximum current capacity of a 20 amp wire?
The maximum current capacity of a 20 amp wire is 20 amps.
What is the recommended wire size for a 20 amp breaker?
The recommended wire size for a 20 amp breaker is typically 12-gauge wire.
What is the appropriate wire size for a 20 amp circuit?
The appropriate wire size for a 20 amp circuit is typically 12-gauge wire.
What is the recommended wire size for a 20 amp circuit?
The recommended wire size for a 20 amp circuit is typically 12-gauge wire.
What is the recommended wire size for a 220v 20 amp circuit?
The recommended wire size for a 220v 20 amp circuit is typically 12-gauge wire.
What is the appropriate wire size for a 20 amp 220v circuit?
The appropriate wire size for a 20 amp 220v circuit is typically 12-gauge wire.
Is it safe to use 10 gauge wire on a 20 amp breaker for a microwave?
No, 10 gauge wire requires the use of a 30 amp breaker. A 20 amp breaker is only used on 12 gauge wire.
If your fuse box supports 20 amp fuses can you replace one current 15 amp fuse with a 20 amp fuse?
The purpose of a fuse it to protect the wire that goes to the load. A 15 amp fuse protects a #14 gauge wire. A 20 amp fuse protects a #12 gauge wire. To answer your question if the wire size is #12 coming from the 15 amp fuse now then it can be upped to 20 amp fuse. If it isn't then you are taking the risk of overloading the #14 wire with a 20 amp fuse. This can lead to insulation failure of the #14 wire, overheating with the possible outcome of a fire breaking out somewhere in the circuit.
What is the appropriate wire size for a 220V 20 amp circuit?
For a 220V 20 amp circuit, the appropriate wire size is typically 10 AWG (American Wire Gauge) for copper conductors.
How do you wire contactor for two light circuits through a time clock?
How do you wire a time clock with a contactor with a override switch
What information can I find in the 20 amp wire size chart?
In a 20 amp wire size chart, you can find information about the appropriate wire gauge or size to use for circuits that require a 20 amp electrical current. This chart will provide guidance on the recommended wire size based on the distance the wire needs to run and the type of material it is made of.
