The LADC229 is an auxiliary contact block from the Schneider Electric TeSys Deca range, designed to add signalling or control contacts to a contactor or relay base. It provides 2 normally-open and 2 normally-closed poles, with one NO and one NC pair configured as make-before-break — meaning the NO contact closes before the NC contact opens during energisation, and the reverse on de-energisation, with a 1.5 ms overlap and non-overlap time respectively. This timing matters in applications where a pilot circuit must never see an open state during switching, such as in certain safety or interlock chains.
Rated insulation voltage is 690 V per IEC 60947-5-1, and 600 V per UL/CSA equivalents — so it lives comfortably in 400 V and 480 V panels, and even in 690 V industrial networks. The conventional free-air thermal current is 10 A at 60 °C, which is the continuous current the block can carry in open air; derating applies when enclosed. For motor control circuits, the AC-15 rating at 120 V is 6 A, dropping to 1.04 A at 690 V — this is the inductive load rating for contactors and relays. On the DC side, the DC-13 rating is 0.55 A at 125 V and 0.1 A at 600 V, covering solenoid and brake loads. The rated making capacity is 140 A AC and 250 A DC, so it can handle inrush from pilot devices without welding contacts.
Where It Mounts and How It Connects
This block mounts on the front of a TeSys Deca contactor or reversing contactor assembly. It uses Faston terminals (6.35 mm or 4.8 mm depending on the variant — verify the tab width on your existing wiring) for quick push-on connections. Dimensions are 44 mm wide, 48 mm high, and 42 mm deep, so it adds minimal depth to the contactor stack. The protective treatment is TH per IEC 60068, meaning it's tested for tropical heat and humidity — fine for most industrial environments.
Switching Limits and Environmental Range
Minimum switching current is 5 mA and minimum switching voltage is 17 V — so it can handle low-level signals from PLC outputs or electronic sensors, but not dry-circuit logic levels below those thresholds. The permissible short-time rating allows 100 A for 1 second, 120 A for 500 ms, and 140 A for 100 ms at 60 °C, which covers brief overloads during motor starting or capacitor inrush. Operating temperature range is -5 to 60 °C, storage from -60 to 80 °C, and operating altitude up to 3000 m — standard for most indoor industrial installations. Insulation resistance is greater than 10 MOhm, and the recommended protection is a 10 A GG fuse.