Patent attributes
A device and method for switching electrical load circuits involve the use of an overload contact integrated in an exciting current circuit of a magnetic coil. The electrical load circuits include an electromagnetic contactor having a magnetic drive formed from a magnet yoke with a magnet coil and a magnet armature to which a contact bridge is coupled as a movable contactor contact by a contact retainer. In the switched-on state the contactor generates a magnetic retaining force for contacting the contact bridge with fixed contacts. The retaining force results from a magnetic field generated by the magnet coil, and the retaining force is greater than an armature opening force. The overload contact is integrated in the exciting current circuit of the magnet coil in such a manner that that when the exciting current circuit is closed and a movement of the contact bridge against the magnetic retaining force occurs, the magnet coil can be short-circuited by closing the overload contact.
