There are contactors for both direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC) in a large number of industrial motors, including many vehicles. The many contactors generally do the same task, but they do it in various ways beginning with the way they are built.
DC relays employ a freewheel transistor to release the electromagnetic force that builds up in the inductance when the coil is de-energized.
Instead of using the freewheel diode structure, AC contactors use laminating cores to reduce heat loss and shading coils to maintain an efficient flow of power through the device.
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The AC may be positioned anywhere as long as it has room to work because of its shading coils. In order for the DC contactor to function effectively, there must be a lot of gaps all around it.
The DC contactor is designed to allow for customised speed and torque, however the AC contactor is thought to be a more durable and affordable device.
This is perfect for tasks like creating a robot arm from scratch that do not adhere to an established pattern.