Utilization categories for contactors according to

IEC/EN60947-4-1
Type of
current
Alternating
current

Utilization
category

Typical application

AC-1

Non-inductive or low-inductive load, resistance furnaces

AC-2
AC-3

Slipring motors: starting, switching off

Suirrelcage motors: starting, switching off while running
Squirrel-cage motors: starting, regenerative braking,
reversing, jogging
Switching gas discharge lamps
Switching of incandescent lamps
Switching of transformers
Switching of capacitor banks
Switching hermetically sealed cooling compressor
motors with manual reset of the overload release
Switching hermetically sealed cooling compressor
motors with automatic reset of the overload release
Non-inductive or low-inductive load, resistance furnaces
Shunt motors: Starting, braking by reversal, inching,
dynamic braking of DC motors
Seriers motors: Starting, braking by reversal, inching,
dynamic braking of DC motors
Switching of incandescent lamps

AC-4
AC-5a
AC-5b
AC-6a
AC-6b
AC-8a
AC-8b
Direct current DC-1
DC-3
DC-5
DC-6

Utilization categories for auxilliary contactors

according to IEC/EN60947-5-1
Type of
current
Alternating
current

Utilization
category
AC-12
AC-13
AC-14
AC-15

Direct current DC-12

DC-13
DC-14

Typical application
Controlling ohmic and inductive loads when isolation
through optocouplers is used
Controlling semiconductor loads when isolation
through transformers is used
Controlling small electromagnetic loads ( 72 VA)
Controlling small electromagnetic loads ( 72 VA)
Controlling ohmic and electronic loads when isolation
through optocouplers is used
Controlling DC electromagnets
Controlling electromagnetic loads with built-in
economy resistors

Utilization categories for load switch, disconnector,

circuir breaker and Switching-safets-units
according to IEC947-3, EN60947, DIN VDE0660
part 107
Type of
current
Alternating
current

Utilization
category

Typical application

AC-20A(B) 1) Making and breaking without load

AC-21A(B) 1) Switching of ohmic loads, including small overloads

Switching of mixed ohmic and inductive loads, including
AC-22A(B) 1)
small overloads
AC-23A(B) 1) Switchung of motors or other high-inductive loads
Direct current DC-20A(B) 1) Making and breaking without load
Switching of ohmischer Last einschlielich geringer
DC-21A(B) 1)
berlast
Switching of gemischter ohmischer und induktiver Last
DC-22A(B) 1) einschlielich geringer berlast (z.B. NebenschlussMotoren)
Switching of Motoren oder anderer hochinduktiver Last
DC-23A(B) 1)
(z.B. Reihenschluss-Motoren)
1) A: frequent actuation, B: casual actuation
All the switchgears in our range are designed in accordance with VDE0660 for the
utilization category AC-3. For the permissibe power data, please see the respective
options.