Lovato BF1210A230 12 A Three-Pole Contactor 230 V AC Coil

BF1210A230 three-pole contactor: decoded part number

The BF1210A230 is a three-pole power contactor from the Lovato Electric BF range with a 230 V AC coil and a built-in normally open auxiliary contact. With an AC-3 rating of 12 A it starts and stops three-phase motors up to about 5.5 kW at 400 V and switches resistive loads up to 28 A.

Decoded: BF12 is the frame size rated 12 A in AC-3, 10 is the contact configuration of three main poles plus one normally open auxiliary contact, and A230 is the AC coil for 230 V, 50 / 60 Hz. The BF0910A230 is the 9 A sibling and the BF1810A230 the 18 A sibling.

Technical specifications of the BF1210A230

Values are taken from the Lovato Electric catalogue entry for BF1210A230. Ratings are at the stated ambient temperatures; derate for hotter panels.

How the BF1210A230 works

When the coil is energised the electromagnet closes the three main contacts together with the auxiliary contact, and when the coil is released the springs reopen them. Pick-up between 80 and 110 % of Us at 50 Hz means the contactor will close reliably even with a voltage dip, while drop-out below 55 % prevents chatter.

The mechanical life of 20 million operations and the electrical life of 2 million operations in AC-3 at 400 V make the contactor suitable for frequent starting. Safety-related data include a B10d value of 2,000,000 cycles at rated load for use in safety calculations.

The coil operates with limited consumption, so a 24 V or 230 V control circuit is easy to size; the dissipation at holding is 2.5 W.

Fit in the system and related Lovato Electric parts

In a motor starter the BF12 sits between a motor protection breaker such as the SM1P1000 and an overload relay such as the RF381000 or RF380650, forming the classic direct-on-line starter.

• BF0910A230 (9 A) and BF1810A230 (18 A) with the same coil
• Other coil voltages for the same frame are listed in the Lovato Electric catalogue; send us the voltage you need
• Overload relays from the RF series to complete a starter
• Auxiliary contact blocks and other accessories listed by the manufacturer for the BF range

Selection and ordering checklist for the BF1210A230

Before ordering the BF1210A230, settle the following points so that the right variant is quoted:

• Motor rated power and starting duty (AC-3 or AC-4)
• Coil voltage: 230 V AC for this part
• Number of auxiliary contacts; this part has one NO built in
• Ambient temperature of the panel
• Protection: fuse or breaker upstream

Installation, commissioning and maintenance of the BF1210A230

Fit the contactor on a DIN rail or screw it on a plate. Connect the main terminals with conductors up to 6 mm² flexible and tighten to 1.5 to 1.8 Nm; the coil terminals take 0.8 to 1 Nm. The mounting position is vertical with a tolerance of ±30 degrees.

Check the coil voltage at the terminals during commissioning, and verify the contactor closes and opens cleanly.

• Retighten main terminals after the first thermal cycles
• Look for contact discolouration
• Replace the contactor if electrical life is exceeded
• Keep dust off the coil area

Typical applications in Oman and the GCC

Contactors of this class start pumps, compressors, fans and conveyors in oil and gas, water and power plants, and switch heater and lighting circuits at their AC-1 rating. In a Gulf panel with high ambient the AC-1 rating at 70 °C of 20 A is a useful reference when sizing heater loads.

Always combine the contactor with a suitable overload device; the BF12 is not an overload relay. For a reversing starter two contactors are used with an interlock, and for star-delta three; in each case the 12 A rating applies to the individual contactor, so check the duty of each one. When a panel is retrofitted, compare the coil voltage and the auxiliary contact configuration of the existing contactor with this part before ordering, because a coil of the wrong voltage is the most common ordering error.

Variants related to the BF1210A230

Sibling contactors from the same family on the market:

Information to send with an RFQ for the BF1210A230

To quote the BF1210A230 quickly, please send:

• Part number BF1210A230
• Quantity
• Coil voltage and frequency
• Motor power and duty
• Panel ambient temperature
• Delivery destination and date

Site conditions in Oman for the BF1210A230

Low-voltage switching and protection devices in Oman often sit in motor control centres and outdoor panels where internal temperatures are high for much of the year. When you select the BF1210A230, check its rated values at your real ambient temperature, as stated in the manufacturer documentation, and confirm the coordination with upstream protection and with the motor or load it serves. Short-circuit levels differ from site to site, so verify the breaking capacity required at the point of installation.

Standardising ratings and coil voltages across a project reduces the number of spare part numbers that need to be stocked. Keeping a small stock of the BF1210A230 and recording settings such as trip ranges or ramp times shortens repair work during a breakdown.

Documents and quotation

No datasheet file is attached to this page. Send us the part number and we will confirm which official documents are available for your application.

For a quotation on the BF1210A230, send the part number or article number, quantity and the delivery destination in Oman or the GCC. Seven Star LLC is an independent supplier based in Muscat and confirms availability and lead time per request.