I'm adding a 35 amp AC1 3 pole contactor to an old manual kiln. I'm a bit short of space and the easiest is to mount it on a DIN rail on the side of the kiln control box. This would mean it was in a horizontal orientation. What do you think? I'm used to them always being vertical in kilns. One manufacturer says they should be mounted vertically +/- 30degrees - all others I have checked out just say mount on a DIN rail. It struck me that as it is a electro/mechanical device any springs, etc might be affected by being in the wrong plane.

 

in my shop, we mount them in any orientation that the customer specs. As long as they are wired correctly, it shouldn't matter.

 

The contactors in the good quality residential air conditioner compressor units are most often mounted so that the operation is horizontal. Mounting it on the box wall will result in a bit more noise as it cycles, but that is OK, it will remind folks that the kiln is working. BUT, of course, first carefully read all of the information on the data sheet to verify that it can be mounted horizontally. There have been gravity opened contactors in the distant past.

 

The contactors in the good quality residential air conditioner compressor units are most often mounted so that the operation is horizontal. Mounting it on the box wall will result in a bit more noise as it cycles, but that is OK, it will remind folks that the kiln is working. BUT, of course, first carefully read all of the information on the data sheet to verify that it can be mounted horizontally. There have been gravity opened contactors in the distant past.

Many thanks - That's reassuring