The coupled problem in electromagnetic AC contactors

Two approaches to model the coupled electromechanical behavior of AC contactors are investigated, a coupled three-dimensional magneto-structural finite element analysis (3D-FE) and a coupled state space-finite element analysis (SS-FE). The use of both approaches resulted in the prediction of contactor performance including the drive coil currents and armature force. The computed results were found to be in good agreement with measured data.