Using rotary isolators for switching loads on and off?

[bigfoots]

Hi
Can you use rotary isolators to switch resistive loads on and off on a regular basis (talking 18KW load here)
I personally thought not, that it should be controlled through a contactor but I have seen another installation that is using isolators
thx
Bigfoots

 

[Lucien Nunes]

Possible, but check the switching rating (as opposed to the thermal rating) of the isolator as it will be lower. There are different utilisation categories for different types of load and switching duty. E.g. AC20 rating is for isolating under no-load conditions, AC21 rating is for switching resistive loads.

 

[Engineer54]

It used to be just called a load rated switch/isolator!! lol!!