Mains Disconnect

zenon · 7th April 2006, 04:39 PM

I can get mercury contactors which break either one main line into the toroid or both main lines. For 110v which should I use?

Also, it is triggered by 24vac, what would be the best way to trigger this signal (the idea here is to be silent, hence the mercury contactors)

TIA.

paulb · 7th April 2006, 05:20 PM

Is a "mercury contactor" the same as a mercury-wetted relay?
What exactly are you trying to do, and why do you need it to be "silent"?

Stocker · 7th April 2006, 07:37 PM

Sounds like an on-off switch idea to me... needs a switch?
contactor = big relay
silent, vs. CLADCK when you turn on the amp with relays.

dfdye · 7th April 2006, 09:14 PM

Mercury = bad. Regardless of the electronics argument, the toxicity should scare you off some.

Just my opinion, but if you are willing to chance a broken switch and subsequent mercury vapor exposure, be my guest.

zenon · 7th April 2006, 10:17 PM

How much aperage can one of these little chipamps really draw? The contactors I have are rated for 30A @ 600vac. The beauty about them is that when they switch on and off they are completely silent, no loud "clack".

Now, I can get one that is a single line contactor (breaks ony one line) or a dual line (switches two lines @ once).

Now, it is my understanding that when you use 1 phase power (north american 110vac) that you wire the neutral always connected and Line One (the powered wire) you switch on and off. If this is the case I'll save some space and use the single contactor, otherwise I'll use the dual.

zenon · 7th April 2006, 10:22 PM

Regarding the "Signaling" voltage of 24vac, is there some type of solid state relay that won't make any clicking sound that I can use to trigger the contactor?

dfdye · 7th April 2006, 10:22 PM

I use DPST (breaks both lines) switches, but I have heard of many others using SPST (breaks one line) switches.

As for the power rating, I have a 3A slowblow fuse for my stereo LM3886 amp and that hasn't given me any problems. I am sure that your 30A switch will be more than sufficient for a stereo amp.

paulb · 7th April 2006, 11:09 PM

Is this contactor going on the 120VAC side of the transformer? Are you sure you're qualified to do this?

zenon · 7th April 2006, 11:17 PM

yes, it will go:

120 VAC -> Fuse (?3-4? Amp) -> DPST Contactor -> Transformer

Isn't this how most people are wiring their power supplies?? or they switch power after the transformer??

Variac · 8th April 2006, 12:45 AM

I got some of these

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWA%3AIT&rd=1

so I could use a knob that matches the other controls on my equipment...Lots of ampacity also!!

Not quiet probably and they might "feel" cheap- we'll see

7th April 2006, 04:39 PM	#1
zenon diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: here	Mains Disconnect I can get mercury contactors which break either one main line into the toroid or both main lines. For 110v which should I use? Also, it is triggered by 24vac, what would be the best way to trigger this signal (the idea here is to be silent, hence the mercury contactors) TIA.

7th April 2006, 07:37 PM	#3
Stocker diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Austin	Sounds like an on-off switch idea to me... needs a switch? contactor = big relay silent, vs. CLADCK when you turn on the amp with relays. __________________ Jesus loves you.

8th April 2006, 12:45 AM	#10
Variac diyAudio Editor Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: San Francisco, USA	I got some of these http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWA%3AIT&rd=1 so I could use a knob that matches the other controls on my equipment...Lots of ampacity also!! Not quiet probably and they might "feel" cheap- we'll see __________________ Burning Amp Festival Sunday, October 28th, 2012 in S.F. We need Volunteers & sign-up's for what you're bringing!

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7th April 2006, 05:20 PM	#2
paulb diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Calgary	Is a "mercury contactor" the same as a mercury-wetted relay? What exactly are you trying to do, and why do you need it to be "silent"?

7th April 2006, 09:14 PM	#4
dfdye diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: USA	Mercury = bad. Regardless of the electronics argument, the toxicity should scare you off some. Just my opinion, but if you are willing to chance a broken switch and subsequent mercury vapor exposure, be my guest.

7th April 2006, 10:17 PM	#5
zenon diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: here	How much aperage can one of these little chipamps really draw? The contactors I have are rated for 30A @ 600vac. The beauty about them is that when they switch on and off they are completely silent, no loud "clack". Now, I can get one that is a single line contactor (breaks ony one line) or a dual line (switches two lines @ once). Now, it is my understanding that when you use 1 phase power (north american 110vac) that you wire the neutral always connected and Line One (the powered wire) you switch on and off. If this is the case I'll save some space and use the single contactor, otherwise I'll use the dual.

7th April 2006, 10:22 PM	#6
zenon diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: here	Regarding the "Signaling" voltage of 24vac, is there some type of solid state relay that won't make any clicking sound that I can use to trigger the contactor?

7th April 2006, 11:09 PM	#8
paulb diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Calgary	Is this contactor going on the 120VAC side of the transformer? Are you sure you're qualified to do this?

7th April 2006, 11:17 PM	#9
zenon diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: here	yes, it will go: 120 VAC -> Fuse (?3-4? Amp) -> DPST Contactor -> Transformer Isn't this how most people are wiring their power supplies?? or they switch power after the transformer??

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