The Schneider Electric LC1K0601P5 is a TeSys K series 3-pole contactor rated for motor control in AC-3 and AC-3e duty at 6 A up to 440 V, with a 230 V 50 Hz coil and one normally closed auxiliary contact. AC-3 is the standard category for starting and stopping squirrel-cage motors — the 6 A rating means it handles motors drawing that current under full-load start, not just resistive loads. The AC-3e variant adds energy-efficiency classification per IEC 60947-4-1. Mechanical durability is 10 million cycles, so the coil and armature outlast the contacts under light duty.
Screw clamp terminals accept 1.5 to 4 mm² solid or 0.34 to 2.5 mm² flexible with ferrules, so it wires into existing panel layouts without adapter blocks. Tightening torque is 0.8 to 1.3 N·m. IP20 finger protection per VDE 0106 means it is safe for open-panel mounting where tools are required to access live parts — standard for enclosed industrial control panels.
Compliance documentation covers EN/IEC 60947-4-1, UL 60947-4-1, CSA C22.2 No 60947-4-1, and JIS C8201-4-1, plus IEC 60335-1 Clause 30.2 for appliance applications. Flame retardance is V1 per UL 94. These certifications cover most industrial and commercial installations in North America, Europe, and Japan.
What the auxiliary contact and coil specs mean for the circuit
The single NC auxiliary contact is instantaneous — it changes state with the main poles, no delay. Minimum switching capability is 5 mA at 17 V for signalling circuits, so it works with low-power PLC inputs without wetting current issues. The coil draws 30 VA inrush and 4.5 VA hold-in at 20 °C, dissipating 1.3 W. No built-in suppressor module is fitted, so if the coil is driven by a PLC output or solid-state relay, add a free-wheeling diode or RC snubber across the coil to protect the driver from inductive kickback. Coil dropout threshold is 20% of rated voltage below 50 °C, ensuring reliable release on undervoltage.