Contactor required for timer or not...?

[DK Wired]

Afternoon all,

I have a customer that requires three 6a lighting circuits to power down in their domestic property for one day (Saturday) every week without touching any switches. Whilst I am trying to adhere to their requirements, they feel that they need a contactor in order to manage the load of their domestic lights in addition to 3 timers for each lighting circuit. My question is, do you feel that a contactor (or 3) would actually be needed in addition to the timers or not?

Cheers for the responses in advance!

 

[bill01803]

Depends on the rating of the timers

 

[pc1966]

It would really depend on the rating of the timers. But be aware that most switch ratings are for pure restive loads and need de-rated by quite a bit for lights (filament and LED, both have large inrush when simultaneously switched).

Also is this 3 separate timers, or one timer switching all 3 (then a 3-pole contactor could do that and keep the separate breaker's supplies)?

 

[davesparks]

Whilst I am trying to adhere to their requirements, they feel that they need a contactor in order to manage the load of their domestic lights in addition to 3 timers for each lighting circuit. My question is, do you feel that a contactor (or 3) would actually be needed in addition to the timers or not?

If the customer has specified that contactors be fitted then go ahead and fit contactors, there's no reason not to as far as I can see.

Do you need them? Maybe, you haven't told us the current rating of the switch contacts in the timers so it's impossible to say more than that.

If they all need switching at the same time then one timer and a 3 pole contactor is needed.

I have often fitted contactors in such situations as this because they are more durable than the small relay/electronic switching in the timer or other control devices.

 

[DK Wired]

Morning all,

Thanks for the replies and apologies for the late reply, the missus insisted no more 'work stuff' for the rest of the weekend so I'm sneaking in a quick reply before she rises.

Basically, I've replaced the consumer unit, dressed it, it's all looking nice and tidy and then the customer tells me afterwards that they want this. I've got 2 spare ways in the board. Talk about messing a guy about!

So at the moment it's a blank canvas to install timers and contactor if necessary. Ideally I'd like to use one timer to control all 3 circuits if possible so there's not too many units crowding his nice and newly plastered wall.

Any suggestions?