Troubleshooting
Problem
Cause
Corrective Action
Contacts
Contacts Chatter
Low Voltage
Check supply voltage, especially during starting.
Check coil voltage rating. Increase voltage or change
coil rating as required.
Welding
Abnormal Inrush Current
Insufficient Contact Pressure
Low Voltage Preventing Magnet
from Sealing
Foreign Matter Preventing
Contacts from Closing
Short Circuit
Excessive Inrush Current
Check for grounds, shorts, or excessive load current.
Replace contacts and springs, check contacts for
abnormal wear or damage.
Check supply voltage to coil, especially for momentary
dip during startup.
Clean contacts with LPS CFC-Free Electro Contact
Cleaner. Contacts used at low current and voltage
should be cleaned with Freon.
Remove fault and check to be sure fuse or breaker
size is correct.
Use next larger size contactor.
Short Contact Life or
Overheating
Filing or Dressing
Interrupting Excessively High
Currents
Weak Contact Pressure
Foreign Matter on Contact
Surface
Short Circuit or Ground Fault
Loose Connection in Power
Circuit
DO NOT FILE SILVER CONTACTS
. Rough spots or
discoloration will not harm contacts of impair their
efficiency.
Check for grounds, shorts or excessive currents.
Use larger size contactor.
Replace contacts and springs, check contacts for
abnormal wear or damage.
Clean contacts with LPS CFC-Free Electro Contact
Cleaner. Take steps to reduce entry of foreign matter
into enclosure.
Remove fault and check to be sure fuse or breaker
size is correct.
Clean and tighten.
Coils
Open Circuit
Overheated Coil
Mechanical Damage
Incorrect Coil
Caution -
All control wiring for contactor operation must only be
made to the coil isolation contact terminals #2 and #3,
and L2 terminal connection points. Wiring made to any
other terminals will burn out the coil and diode. If a coil
burnout occurs, both the coil and diode must be
replaced.
Replace with new coil. Handle and store new coils
carefully.
Check coil rating and replace with correct coil.
Siemens Industry, Inc. 5300 Triangle Parkway, Norcross, GA 30092
A5E31166447A-002
Troubleshooting continued
Problem
Cause
Corrective Action
Magnetic and
Mechanical Parts
Each CLM contactor has an electronic control module
‘CLMKCMR’ which is used to energize and close the
contactor and for the release circuit. It is designed for
short time actuation of 1-3 cycles only. All coils are
designed with a small wattage resistor in addition to a
diode at coil voltage higher than 120 Volts. Remote
solid state switching devices have ‘off state’ leakage
currents. They may also pass utility transient voltages
through to the device electronics. The low level ‘off
state’ voltages are insufficient to actuate the contactor
but large enough to burn out the resistors. Normal
actuating voltages are quickly disconnected from the
coils and control module by the latch clearing contacts.
Coil and module failures are possible when used with
solid state relays and PLC outputs. 24-Volt systems
are ok to use, but 120 volts and above should be
discouraged. If higher voltages cannot be avoided, an
interposing relay should be used.
Failure to Pick-up and
Seal
Failure to Drop-Out
Low Voltage
Wrong Coil or
Wrong Connection
Mechanical Obstruction
Coil Open or Overheated
Sticky Substance on Pole
Faces
Release Coil not Energized
Worn or Rusted Parts Causing
Binding
Contacts Welded
Check system voltage and voltage dips during starting.
Check coil marking and wiring.
With power off, check for movement of armature and
contacts.
Replace.
Clean pole faces with LPS CFC-Free Electro Contact
Cleaner.
Check coil, coil circuit or length of leads from supply
voltage to coil. Coil may be open or lead length is
excessive.
Replace unit.
See ‘Welding’ under Contacts.
These instructions do not purport to cover all details or
variations in equipment nor to provide for possible con-
tingency to be met in connection with installation, op-
eration, or maintenance. Should further information be
desired, or should problems arise which are not cov-
ered sufficiently for the purchaser’s purpose, the matter
should be referred to the local SIemens Industry, Inc.,
Sales Office.
The contents of this instruction sheet shall not become
part of or modify any prior or existing agreement, com-
mitment or relationship. The sales contract contains the
entire obligation of Siemens Industry, Inc. The warranty
contained in the contract between the parties is the sole
warranty of Siemens Industry, Inc. Any statements con-
tained herein do not create new warranties or modify the
existing warranty.
Magnetic and
Mechanical Parts
Contacts
