communal lighting , contactor

G

glasgospark

got a 240v ac set up for communal lighting in a small block of flats ,

call out was that outside lights not working , the contactor has 25mm incomer from db1 and 25mm outgoing to db2

incoming side also has 1.5mm t&e.


i cant seem to find the operating device for the contactor any suggestions ??

dusk-dawn pir ?
 
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Photocell
Timed push button.
Basic time switch.
Timeswitch with photocell input.
Dusk dawn PIR, but depends on type of lighting fitted, not all lamps like being fired up every 2 minutes.
 
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theres 1 2d 28w fitting . i see a photocell , but i bypassed contactor and fed the db from another circuit the lights are on permanently ofcourse because there not controlled via the photocell

more likely to be contactor or photocell fault ?
 
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Its getting to be habitual on this forum that some members are now making it their first port of call to ask rather than research or simply think about what they are asking...

As well established members we are always happy to help but all we ask is the THANKS button is used and the LIKE button too when you feel you have received valued info' - what we also ask is you try to help yourself a little too by researching your query upfront then we are here to fill in any gaps you don't understand ...what we aren't is a free teaching service so rather than just list question after question try a little research.

If someone stop you in the street and asked for directions and you kindly spent a few minutes explaining to them then the just turned away and walked off without so much as a thanks you can understand the way some members can take the 'proverbial' by expecting all and giving nothing back. Im generalising here not pointing fingers!

As for you Contactor - i assume you are not familiar about the basic operation of one and a simple search with give a very easy to follow simple explanation so i suggest to test if it works you apply the rated voltage to the coil and see if it pulls in and the load operates...if so it is functional if you have issues with flickering lights that are not related to their control gear then its possible the contactors contact plates are damaged or not meeting properly.

Remember try help yourself first then at least we feel your not just using the site for every bump in the road you hit.
 
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darkwood said:
Its getting to be habitual on this forum that some members are now making it their first port of call to ask rather than research or simply think about what they are asking...

As well established members we are always happy to help but all we ask is the THANKS button is used and the LIKE button too when you feel you have received valued info' - what we also ask is you try to help yourself a little too by researching your query upfront then we are here to fill in any gaps you don't understand ...what we aren't is a free teaching service so rather than just list question after question try a little research.

If someone stop you in the street and asked for directions and you kindly spent a few minutes explaining to them then the just turned away and walked off without so much as a thanks you can understand the way some members can take the 'proverbial' by expecting all and giving nothing back. Im generalising here not pointing fingers!

As for you Contactor - i assume you are not familiar about the basic operation of one and a simple search with give a very easy to follow simple explanation so i suggest to test if it works you apply the rated voltage to the coil and see if it pulls in and the load operates...if so it is functional if you have issues with flickering lights that are not related to their control gear then its possible the contactors contact plates are damaged or not meeting properly.

Remember try help yourself first then at least we feel your not just using the site for every bump in the road you hit.
Click to expand...


i haven't ever used a contactor to be honest ,

secondly if I had been given an answer that helped me further in my search I would have typed a thanks , as for thanks and like button I tend not to use them not out of badness but I just don't
 
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biff55 said:
learn some fookin manners with words like "please"

no wonder handysparks couldnt be arsed posting any further info.
Click to expand...

A bloke's got to eat sometime!

As darkwood says, disconnect the feed from the photocell and energise the contactor coil by another route. If it pulls in and the lights come on, then the fault lies elsewhere, ie the photocell.


Edit: The first requirement with testing is that you make yourself fully conversant with the system and its operation. Then you can plan the best testing procedure and understand the meaning of any results.
 
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glasgospark said:
i haven't ever used a contactor to be honest ,

secondly if I had been given an answer that helped me further in my search I would have typed a thanks , as for thanks and like button I tend not to use them not out of badness but I just don't
Click to expand...


Written thanks is just as good, don't get me wrong the post isn't an attack directly at you or this thread its just nice to give help and receive thanks ... yes your on the ladder of learning as we all were albeit in our days we had no such resources as the internet or forums or even mobile phones we had to know our stuff or go to the library. Yes the world a different which has made things very easy to research so use it ... if I had never worked on a contactor before the first thing I'd do is pull up a web page on how they work this in itself will give your answer to testing whether they operate ... you were given advice to test the contactor and rather than look it up to help you understand the theory of how they work you simple ask 'whats the procedure?' - responses like this just make us feel like we are spoon feeding you everything and your not trying to help yourself.

Id would of like to have seen you come back sayig you have had a read up and you will test the contactor by ........... then asking if this sounds right.. we then will give full support and advice as you are doing some of the research...

Been spoon fed answers will not help you learn if you research yourself and just clarify on here it is self rewarding and will stay locked in your grey matter for future.
 
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the25mm perm feed and neutral are in the top front terminals of the contactor , then theres the 1.5mm cables at the back of the contactor l-n ,then the load at the bottom ,

the 1.5 is obviously the L-N for the photocell but how does the photocell then make the switch to pull in the contactor
 
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The photocell is usually just a single pole switch, permanent live in and switched live out to A1 or A2 on the contactor.

25mm is a helluva large supply for '1 2d 28w fitting', are you sure that's all that's being supplied?
 
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Marvo said:
The photocell is usually just a single pole switch, permanent live in and switched live out to A1 or A2 on the contactor.

25mm is a helluva large supply for '1 2d 28w fitting', are you sure that's all that's being supplied?
Click to expand...


the incomers are huge i know , its feeding the 2d and 8 70w son lamps

- - - Updated - - -

glasgospark said:
the incomers are huge i know , its feeding the 2d and 8 70w son lamps
Click to expand...

wouldnt the photocell require neutral to operate ??
 
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can u clarify for me ,the 2 top rear connectors that go to photocell what happens from there

i thought the photocell would require l-n then bring a switched back to operate contactor no ?
 
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Maybe the load was larger and got trimmed or maybe as Mick says it's future provision but it's a large provision so I'm sure there'd be a definate reason behind it.

Bottom line is regardless of tail sizes it's a very simple circuit. PIR operates the contactor, contactor switches power to DB and brings in the lights. There's numerous ways the wiring could be physically laid out same as there's several ways to cable a normal domestic lighting circuit.
 
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glasgospark said:
.....personally i cant see the need for contactor
Click to expand...
Pleeeeese don't remove the contactor. The SON lighing load is probably far from linear plus there's start currents to consider, I doubt the PIR is rated to switch the load directly. Just fault-find the existing setup and fix it. If you alter the circuit make sure you have a design that you know is viable because it will be your responsibility if you do.
 
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Marvo said:
Pleeeeese don't remove the contactor. The SON lighing load is probably far from linear plus there's start currents to consider, I doubt the PIR is rated to switch the load directly. Just fault-find the existing setup and fix it. If you alter the circuit make sure you have a design that you know is viable because it will be your responsibility if you do.
Click to expand...


i have bypassed the contactor for now , feeding the db from a 20a mcb with 2.5 t&e untill i can get to photocell ,

its 10meters up
 
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communal lighting , contactor
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