Discussion

1. What are the uses of electrical contactors?

Contactors are used to control electric motors, lighting, heating, capacitor banks,
thermal evaporators, and other electrical loads.

2. What do you understand by ‘PUSH-ON and PUSH-OFF’ button

switches?
A push to make switch allows electricity to flow between its two contacts when held
in. When the button is released, the circuit is broken. A push to break switch does
the opposite, when the button is not pressed, electricity can flow, but when it is
pressed the circuit is broken.

3. Why must electrical motors need overload protective device?

Electrical motors need overload protective device because a higher current than the
rated current will produce too much heat in the coils. This will result in the coil wire's
insulating varnish (or other insulating material) being deteriorated to the point where
a short circuit develops between the coil windings. This will allow more current to
flow, resulting in the complete destruction of the coils due to a final dead short.

4. What will happen to an electrical motor if it is overloaded?

An overloaded AC electric motor will begin to slow down and draw more current than
normal. This will cause internal overheating. Most good general purpose motors have
an internal high temperature thremostat that will shut them down before any serious
damage is done. When the motor has cooled it can be restarted; however, it should not
be continued to be operated that way because it will soon fail anyway. The thermostat
will likewise stop the motor if the cooling air passages are obstructed and the motor
overheats.
5. What is a ‘Thermal Overload Relay’?
Thermal overload relays are economic electromechanical protection devices for the
main circuit. They offer reliable protection for motors in the event of overload or
phase failure. The thermal overload relay can make up a compact starting solution
together with contactors.

6. List down three types of motor starters.

I. Auto Transformer starter:
II. Stator Resistance Starter:
III. Rotor Resistance Starter

7. What equipment is used to measure continuity of the electrical circuit?

Devices that can be used to perform continuity tests include multimeters which
measure current and specialized continuity testers which are cheaper, more basic
devices, generally with a simple light bulb that lights up when current flows.

8. What equipment is used to measure the insulation of the electrical

installation?
The equipment to measure the insulation of the electrical installation is
megohmmeter.

9. Give a brief explanation to your answer.

A megohmmeter is used to measure the ohmic value of an insulator under a direct
voltage of great stability. To measure a high value resistance, techniques for
measuring a low value current are used. A constant voltage source is applied to the
resistance to be measured and the resulting current is read on a highly sensitive
ammeter circuit that can display the resistance value.