What is Electrical Isolator?

The isolator can be defined as; it is one type of mechanical switch used to isolate a fraction of the
electrical circuit when it is required. Isolator switches are used for opening an electrical circuit in the
no-load condition. It is not proposed to be opened while current flows through the line. Generally,
these are employed on circuit breaker both the ends thus the circuit breaker repair can be done
easily without any risk.

Electrical Isolator is used to separate any type of electrical component from the system while the
system is offline/ online. Isolator doesn’t include any kind of system for avoiding arching throughout
disconnection. As in an electrical substation, an electrical isolator switch is mainly used for
disconnecting a power transformer once it is in a no-load situation otherwise a little load is there. In
full load condition, isolators don’t operate.
Working Principle

An electric isolator working principle is extremely easy as it operates in different ways like manually
operated, semi-automatic, and fully-automatic. Sometimes, these are used like switches so-known as
electrical isolator switches. This switch can be opened or closed depending on the necessity.
However, several times, these are arranged in a fixed position permanently to maintain isolation like
transformers, in electrical transmission lines, grid stations.

An electrical isolator switch is one kind of device used to isolate a specific circuit by maintaining as
well as preventing flowing currents. These switches are used in electrical appliances like kitchen
tools, power grids, etc. Isolator switches are available in different types like a single-pole, double-
pole, 3-pole, 4-pole, fused, and battery isolator switches.
Operation of Electrical Isolator

When there is no arc quench method is offered in the electrical isolator, it should be worked once
there is no possibility of current flow throughout the circuit. So, no live circuit must be open
otherwise closed through the isolator process.

The isolators which operate manually can be operated by using the system with up to 145 kV
whereas, for high voltage systems using 245 kV otherwise 420 kV, motorized isolators are utilized.

Types of Electrical Isolator

The electrical isolators are classified based on the requirement of the system which includes the
following.

• Double Break Type Isolator

• Single Break Type Isolator

• Pantograph Type Isolator

Types of Electrical
Isolators Double Break Type Isolator

This type of isolator consists of three loads of post insulators. The middle insulator holds a flat male
or tubular contact that can be turned straightly by a spin of the middle post insulator. The rotation of
the middle post insulator can be done by a lever method at the bottom of the post insulator, as well
as it is related to manual operation (operating handle) or motorized operation motor (using motor)
of the isolator via a mechanical knot rod.

Single Break Type Isolators

In this type of isolator, arm contact is separated into two elements. The first arm contact holds male
contact, as well as second arm contact, holds female contact. The arm contact shifts because of the
post insulator rotation upon which the arm contacts are fixed.

The post insulators’ rotation stacks in reverse to each other which makes to shut the isolator by
shutting the arm contact. Post insulators counter-rotation stacks to open the arm contact, as well as
an isolator, rotate into an off condition. Generally, the motor-operated isolator is used however an
emergency manual operated isolator is also offered.

Pantograph Type Isolator

The pantograph type isolator permits current switchgear installation, and it requires the least space.
This type of insulator includes a post insulator as well as an operating insulator.

According to the power system location, the isolator can be classified into three types namely bus
side, line side, and transfer bus side isolator.

Power System
Location based Isolators

• Bus Side Isolator is a type of Isolator that connects by the major bus.

• Line Side Isolator stay connected by a feeder inline side.

• Transfer Bus Side Isolator stay connected by the major bus of a transformer.
Applications of Isolators

In addition to types and working mechanisms, when learning about these switches, it is also crucial
to learn about the various uses of isolators. Below are the most significant uses of these devices.

• High-Voltage Systems: Used in substations and transmission lines to isolate highvoltage

equipment, ensuring that maintenance can be carried out safely without risk of electric
shock.

• Switchgear: Incorporated in industrial and commercial electrical panels to disconnect faulty

sections of circuits.

• Solar Energy Systems: Used in photovoltaic (PV) systems to disconnect solar panels from the
inverter for servicing.

• Home and Commercial Installations: Installed in electrical systems for appliances like air
conditioners, elevators, and pumps to provide a means of manual disconnection.

What is an Electrical Contactor?

A contactor is an electromechanical control device that used to make or break the connection
between the load and power supply. The use of a contactor is similar to the relay. But the device
used for higher current carrying application is known as a contactor and the device used for lower
current applications is known as Relay.

A contactor has several contacts as per the application and load. Generally, these contacts are
normally open (NO) contact. And hence the load is shut off when the coil of the contactor is
deenergized. But the contactor can design for both normally open and normally close applications.
The most common application of contactor is in the starter that used to turn ON and OFF the
equipment like motor, transformer, etc.

A contactor is an electrically controlled switch used for switching a power circuit, similar to a relay
except with higher current ratings. A contactor is controlled by a circuit which has a much lower
power level than the switched circuit. Contactors are oftenly used for 150 Hp motor.
Magnetic Contactor

Magnetic contactor is a device or switch which operates magnetically and close or open the electric
circuit when needed. More details are as follow.

Construction of Contactor

A contactor has three main parts;

• Coil or Electromagnet

• Encloser or Frame

• Contacts

Coil or Electromagnet

The coil is wound on electromagnetic core and behaves as an electromagnet. Generally, it has two
parts, one is a fixed part and the second is a movable part. A spring is connected between both parts.
Hence, there is a spring return arrangement. A rod is connected with the moving part. This rode is
also known as an armature. When a force of coil is more than the force of spring, both contacts are
connected and when the force of spring is more than the force of the coil, both contacts are
extracted with each other.

A very small amount of current will flow through the spring from the supply or external control
circuit to excite the core of the electromagnet. For AC applications, the electromagnetic core is made
up of laminated soft iron to reduce the eddy current. For DC applications, there is no issue of eddy
current, the core is made up of solid steel.

Encloser or Frame

The encloser is used to protect the internal parts of the contactor. It is made up of plastic, nylon 6,
ceramic, or Bakelite. It provides housing to the electromagnet and contacts. The encloser is used to
insulate the contacts and provide protection from the dust, oil, weather, and other explosion
hazards. It avoids direct touching of contact when it is powered.

Contacts

This is the only component from which the entire load current will flow. Hence, it is a very important
component of the contactor. The contacts are classified as power contact, auxiliary contact, and
contact spring. There are two types of power contact; stationary contact and movable contact.

The material used for the contacts has stable arc resistance and high welding resistance. These
materials must withstand mechanical stress, erosion, and arc. The resistance of this material is as low
as possible because the full load current will pass through the contacts. For the low current
application, these contacts are made up of silver cadmium oxide and silver nickel and for high current
application and DC current, it is made up of silver tin oxide.

The armature of the electromagnet is connected with the moving contact. Hence, the moving
contact moves with the action of an electromagnet and connect/disconnect with the fixed contact.
Working of Contactor

An electromagnetic field produced when the electromagnetic coil is energized. As we have seen in
the construction, the moving contact of the contactor is connected with the armature (metallic rod)
of an electromagnet.

When an electromagnetic field produced, the armature experiences the force and pulls towards the
fixed contact. The force produced by the coil is more than the force of the spring. Both contacts
remain in this position until the coil is not de-energized.

Once the coil is de-energized, the electromagnetic force is zero and the armature pulls back due to
the force of spring. And return in the normal condition (OFF position). The contactors are designed
for the rapid ON-OFF operation.

The input of the contactor coil may be AC or DC or in some cases, the universal coil is used as an
electromagnetic coil. The universal coils operate on AC and DC both. A small amount of power loss
occurs in the contacts and an economizer circuit is used to reduce this loss.

While making and breaking of contacts, an arc is produced between the contacts. This arc may
reduce the life of contactor as it increases the temperature of contacts. Due to arc, harmful gases are
produced like mono-oxide. Hence, there are several methods are used to control and extinction of
arcs.

The contactors are selected base on load current and voltage, the control range of voltage, and
application based on utilization category. If you want to check the connection of contacts are open or
close, you can check it with the help of ohm-meter. Connect the ohmmeter between the input and
output contacts, if the meter shows infinite reading the contacts are open and if the meter shows
zero reading the contacts are closed.

A NO (Normally Open) contact remains open until a predefined specific condition occurs. By default,
a NO switch does not conduct current; it needs to be energized to allow current to flow.
An NC (Normally Closed) contact remains closed until a specific condition is met. By default, the NC
contact lets current flow until it becomes de-energized.

What is the difference between contactor and relay?

• The contactor is used for high voltage switching applications and the relay is used for low
voltage switching applications. Generally, if the load current is more than 15A, the contactors
are used and if the load current is less then 15A, the relay is used.

• The size of the contactor is large compared to the size of the relay.

• The maintenance of contactor is easy while in most of the conditions, the relay cannot repair.

• In most cases, the contactors are connected in normally open contacts and the relays are
connected as normally closed contacts.

• The switching time of the contactor is slow compared to the relay.

Application of Contactors

The contactor is used in the following applications.

• The most common application of contactor is in the motor starter. It is used with overload
and short circuit protection for the industrial motor.

• The contactors are used for the automation of lights for industrial, commercial, and
residential lighting applications. For this type of application, latch type relay is used. In this
type of relay, two coils are used. One for open contact and second for close contact.

• Single pole contactors are used to operate 12VDC load in the vehicle.

• The use of contactors with the circuit breaker assures the safety of the operation of load in
industries. And in such an application, it is used to fast switching of a load.
• It is used in mercury relay and mercury-wetted relay.

• Two-pole (3-wire, 1-phase) contactors are used to operate 240VAC load like air conditioner.

DOL Starter (Direct On Line Starter) Diagram

And Working Principle
DOL starter is a device consist of main contractor, protective devices and
overload relay which is used for motor starting operations.

In direct online starter method of motor starting, the motor stator windings
are directly connected to the main supply where the DOL protect the motor
circuit from high inrush current which may damage the overall circuit as
the initial current is much more higher than the full rated current.

Three Phase DOL Starter Wiring Diagram:

This is the basic wiring diagram of a DOL starter
Power Diagram:
Control Diagram:

MCCB or Circuit Breaker: The R, Y and B phase are connected through

MCCB to the contactors.
Magnetic Contactor: The contactor has 3 types of contacts:
1) Main Contacts: The contactor has 3 main (NO) contacts known as L1, L2
and L3.
• L1 is connected to the R phase through MCCB

• L2 is connected to the Y phase through MCCB

• L3 is connected to the B phase through MCCB

• Point 1 is connected to R-phase while point-2 is connected to overload

relay T1 point.
• Point 3 is connected to Y-phase while point-4 is connected to overload

relay T2 point.
• Point 5 is connected to B-phase while point-6 is connected to overload

relay T3 point.
2) Auxiliary NO Contacts: the auxiliary NO contact 53 and 54 closes when
the coil energizes. It is connected through the green and red push button.
• The point-53 is connected to the point-96 start button

• The point-54 is connected through the stop button.

3) Auxiliary NC Contacts: the NC contact 95 and 96 is normally closed

contacts of overload relay and it opens when the current exceeds a certain
limit.
• The point-96 is connected to the stop button.

Relay Coil: The relay coil points A1 and A2 are connected to the voltage
supply through OLR, start button and stop button.
• The Point A1 is connected to R-phase from point 1.

• Point A2 is connected to the NC terminal of overload relay point 95.

Overload Relay: The overload relay has normally connected terminals T1,
T2 and T3 that supply power to the motor.
• The T1 is connected to the point-2 of the contactor.

• The T2 is connected to the point-4 of the contactor.

• The T3 is connected to the point-6 of the contactor.

Following is the basic power and control wiring diagram of starting and
stopping a three-phase motor using DOL starter.
Single Phase DOL Starter Wiring Diagram:
A single-phase DOL motor starter can be designed using the same
components as shown in following diagram.
We have to use all 3 poles of the overload relay otherwise the imbalance due
to the current flow in only 2 of them will cause unnecessary tripping.
Working of Direct Online Starter:
The DOL starter connects the 3 phase voltage supply i.e. R-phase, Y-phase
and B-phase to the induction motor terminals.
There are two types of circuits in the DOL starter diagram given above; The
control circuit and the power circuit.
The Control Circuit:
It is powered by only 2 phases of the power supply and it is responsible for
starting and stopping the power supplied to the motor.
The green start button and red stop button is connected inside the control
circuit. Pressing the green button for an instant starts the motor and the
power is supplied when it is released. Pushing the red button stops the
power supply and stops the motor.
Pressing the Start (Green) Button:
The Green button is connected to the B-phase power supply through point 5
and point 53 and it connects it to the point-A2 of the relay coil through OLR
point 96-95.
Pressing the green button closes the contacts and provides the voltage
supply to the relay coil that energize it. The coil moves the contactor in close
position and the power is supplied to the induction motor.
Releasing the Start (Green) Button:
When the start button is released, the voltage supply to the relay coil is still
maintained. The voltage supply is routed from point 54 of the contactor
(close position) through OLR point 95-96.
In case of overloading, the point 95-96 of OLR opens and de-energizes the
coil to open the contactors.
Pushing the Stop (Red) Button:
After releasing the start button, pushing the stop button will open its
contacts and break the voltage supply to the relay coil. hence, the coil de-
energize and the contactor switches to open position and stops the power
supplied to the motor.
The Power Circuit:
The power circuit is responsible for providing the power supplied to the
motor. Its job is to carry large amount of current required to power the
motor. The switching of this circuit is controlled by the control circuit.
Principle of DOL Starter:
The Direct Online starter works on full voltage or across-the-line technique
where the motor is directly connected to the full voltage supply. Since there
is no voltage reduction, the starting current is very high that leads to high
starting torque.
When the motor starts, it will draw a huge current usually 5 to 6 times that
of its rated full speed current. The huge current draw will cause a dip in the
line voltage. The gradual increase in the speed will decrease the current
drawn from the lines but not below a certain speed (normally at 75%). Once
the motor reaches it rated speed, the current drawn and the line voltage will
return to normal.
Since the dol provides high starting current, the motor generates a high
starting torque. The torque generated also depends on the rating of the
motor. The load connected to the motor affects the acceleration and the time
taken to reach full speed. If the load connected to the motor has high torque
then the torque delivered by the motor, the motor will not accelerate. And
you need to replace it with a motor having high starting torque.
Also keep in mind, the starting current may damage the windings of the
motor. Thus, motors having low power rating are connected through the
DOL starter.