Lovato 11BG0910A230 9A Three-Pole Contactor

Switching three-phase motors with the BG09 range

The 11BG0910A230 is a three-pole contactor from the Lovato Electric BG09 series. Its AC-3 operating current is 9 A, equal to 4 kW at 400 V and 2.2 kW at 230 V for a standard squirrel-cage motor. The coil is rated 230 V, and the insulation voltage Ui is 690 V.

Mechanical life is 20,000,000 cycles, the free-air thermal current is 20 A and the unit weighs 182 g.

Technical specifications

Choosing the right contactor

Decide the load type before the size. Motor loads are rated by AC-3, heaters by AC-1, and plugging or jogging duty by AC-4; the datasheet lists a current for each category, and the lowest applicable one governs.

Order-code reading, derived from the catalogue entry: 11BG0910 identifies the contactor size and auxiliary-contact arrangement, and the last characters give the coil voltage (230 V).

Installation and typical use

Besides motors, contactors in this range switch resistive heaters (AC-1), lighting banks and, where the datasheet allows, capacitor steps, so the same coil data and auxiliary arrangement apply across many panel types.

Mass is 182 g; fixing is by screws or 35 mm DIN rail. Use terminal torques from the datasheet and keep the specified spacing between adjacent contactors if they will be operated continuously.

For panel design and commissioning, the practical figures to keep at hand are: operating temperature (min) -50 °C; operating temperature (max) +70 °C; operating position, normal Vertical plan; operating position, allowable ±30°; fixing Screw / DIN rail 35mm; weight 182 g. These come straight from the datasheet and are repeated here so that the key installation limits are visible without opening the PDF.

Typical applications for the 11BG0910A230

A compact three-pole contactor of this rating is used to start and stop small three-phase motors in pump panels, blower starters, conveyor controls and packaged machinery. It also switches resistive loads such as heaters under the AC-1 ratings in the table. In motor control centres and small distribution boards it is the device that handles the frequent switching, while the upstream fuses provide short-circuit protection.

The 230 V AC coil makes the device easy to control from a single-phase control circuit, a common arrangement in small panels in Oman where a separate control transformer is not always fitted.

Selecting the contactor for the load

Check the utilisation category first, then compare the load current with the rating for that category at the operating voltage. A motor started direct-on-line with ordinary stopping is AC-3 duty; frequent inching, plugging or reversing under load falls under AC-4, where the permitted current is much lower. Resistive heating loads use AC-1. Confirm that the coil voltage matches the control supply, and coordinate the contactor with the short-circuit protection device using the fuse ratings given in the table. Allow for the electrical life when the contactor will operate many times per hour, because contact wear depends on the number of switching operations under load.

Installation practice

Mount the contactor in the normal vertical position or within the allowable tilt, either on a standard DIN rail or with screws. Tighten the terminals to the torques in the datasheet and check them again after the first period of operation, since loose connections are a common cause of overheating. Keep power and control wiring tidy and clearly identified, and leave room for heat to escape when several devices are mounted side by side.

Commissioning and maintenance

Before energising, check the coil supply and confirm that the contactor picks up and drops out cleanly when the control circuit is operated. Listen for humming or chatter, which usually points to a low or unstable control voltage rather than a fault in the contactor. During operation, record how often the contactor switches so that wear can be judged against the electrical life in the table, and plan inspection of contacts and terminals at intervals that suit the duty.

Site conditions in Oman and the GCC

Many panels in the region are installed outdoors or in hot plant rooms, where the internal temperature can be well above the outside air temperature in summer. The datasheet gives separate AC-1 ratings at different ambient temperatures, so use the rating that matches the expected temperature inside the panel rather than the most favourable value. Dust and humidity can affect contacts and terminals, so choose an enclosure suited to the location, keep panel doors closed, and include contactor checks in routine electrical maintenance.

Documents and quotation

Download the attached datasheet for 11BG0910A230 from the Lovato Electric online catalogue (English) to see every parameter in full. What to confirm before ordering: the motor current, coil voltage, the number and type of auxiliary contacts and the utilisation category of your load. The manufacturer can revise published data at any time. Other options are in contactors & overload relays. An RFQ for 11BG0910A230 needs only the quantity and delivery location; Seven Star LLC, an independent Muscat supplier, replies with availability.