ICT Contactor 40A 4 NO 230/240V AC

The Schneider Electric Acti9 iCT A9C20844 modular contactor is a remote control device with 4 poles and 4 normally open contacts (4 NO), designed to automate lighting, heating, ventilation, and small motor loads. It offers a rated operational current of 40 A in AC-7A category and 15 A in AC-7B, a rated operational voltage of 400 V AC, and a control coil of 220-240 V AC at 50 Hz. Its 54 mm modular format, equivalent to 3 modules of 18 mm, makes it easy to integrate into electrical panels on DIN rail.

The A9C20844 reference belongs to Schneider Electric's Acti9 iCT range and is designed for automatic or remote switching via thermostats, time switches, relays, energy management systems, and other control devices. It includes a mechanical position indicator, low-noise operation, and compatibility with Acti9 control auxiliaries.

4-pole modular contactor with 4 NO contacts

The A9C20844 incorporates four normally open power contacts. When the coil is not energized, the four poles remain open; when voltage is applied to the control circuit, the contacts close simultaneously to supply the load.

• Number of poles: 4P.
• Contact composition: 4 NO.
• Network type: AC.
• Control type: remote control.
• Control signal: maintained.

This four-pole configuration allows simultaneous switching of four conductors within the electrical conditions specified for the device.

40 A in AC-7A category

The rated current of 40 A corresponds to the AC-7A utilization category in accordance with IEC/EN 61095.

AC-7A category mainly applies to household and similar loads that are resistive or slightly inductive. The contactor can be used in applications such as:

• Electric heating.
• Compatible lighting circuits.
• Resistive loads.
• Ventilation systems.
• Building automation.
• Other loads with characteristics compatible with AC-7A.

The 40 A rating should not be interpreted as an admissible current for any type of load. The actual switching capacity depends on the utilization category and the characteristics of the connected receiver.

15 A in AC-7B category

For loads corresponding to the AC-7B category, Schneider Electric specifies a rated current of 15 A.

This category covers applications with household and similar motors, so it is especially important to distinguish it from the 40 A value indicated for AC-7A.

• AC-7A: 40 A.
• AC-7B: 15 A.

Schneider Electric expressly states that this contactor can be used for the remote switching of small motors, such as fans or mixers, as well as in certain HVAC applications.

220-240 V AC control coil

The control circuit of the A9C20844 operates at a voltage of 220-240 V AC at 50 Hz.

This coil voltage allows the contactor to be controlled by many common devices used in electrical panels:

• Time switches.
• Thermostats.
• Control relays.
• Detectors.
• Home automation systems.
• HVAC controllers.
• Energy management systems.

Although some commercial descriptions refer to it as 230/240 V AC, the technical specification published by Schneider Electric for this reference is 220-240 V AC at 50 Hz.

Rated operational voltage of 400 V AC

The power circuit is specified for a rated operational voltage Ue of 400 V AC at 50 Hz.

The main dielectric characteristics are:

• Ue: 400 V AC, 50 Hz.
• Ui, rated insulation voltage: 500 V AC.
• Uimp, impulse withstand voltage: 4 kV.
• Pollution degree: 2.

Applications in lighting, heating, and motors

Schneider Electric defines this contactor for motor, heating, and lighting applications. Its main function is to allow a low-power control signal to automatically govern the connection and disconnection of a load.

It can be used, provided the admissible categories and currents are respected, in:

• Electric heating.
• Commercial and residential lighting.
• Ventilation systems.
• Fans.
• Small motors.
• HVAC equipment.
• Automation via time switches.
• Thermostat control.
• Electrical load management.
• Residential panels and small commercial panels.

Coil consumption

The technical documentation specifies the following values for the control circuit:

• Inrush consumption: 53 VA.
• Holding consumption: 6.5 VA.

Inrush consumption occurs during the initial actuation of the contactor, while holding consumption corresponds to the power needed to keep the contacts closed once the switching operation is complete.

These values must be taken into account when sizing control relays, control outputs, or other elements responsible for supplying the coil.

Mechanical position indicator

The Acti9 iCT includes a mechanical actuation indicator that allows the contactor status to be visually checked from the front of the panel.

This feature makes inspection, commissioning, and troubleshooting easier without needing to remove the device.

Low-noise operation

Schneider Electric highlights the low noise level of the Acti9 iCT range, a particularly interesting feature when the electrical panel is installed near occupied areas.

Technical distributors reproducing the manufacturer's datasheet indicate a sound pressure level of approximately 30 dB.

Up to 100 switching operations per day

The manufacturer establishes a maximum operating frequency of 100 switching operations per day.

The A9C20844 is therefore intended for periodic building automation and small control systems, and not for high-frequency continuous switching applications.

High mechanical durability

The service life specified by Schneider Electric reaches:

• Mechanical durability: up to 1,000,000 cycles.
• Electrical durability in AC-7A at 40 A: up to 100,000 cycles.
• Electrical durability in AC-7B at 15 A: up to 30,000 cycles.
• Electrical durability in AC-1: up to 100,000 cycles under the indicated conditions.
• Electrical durability in AC-3: up to 30,000 cycles under the indicated conditions.

Actual electrical life depends on current, voltage, load type, and switching frequency.

DIN rail mounting

The A9C20844 is designed for clip-on mounting on a 35 mm symmetrical DIN rail.

• Mounting type: clip-on.
• Support: 35 mm DIN rail.
• 9 mm pitches: 6.
• Equivalent width: 3 modules of 18 mm.

Its modular format makes installation easy alongside miniature circuit breakers, residual current devices, time switches, and other Acti9 devices.

Dimensions of the Schneider Electric A9C20844

• Width: 54 mm.
• Height: 85 mm.
• Depth: 60 mm.
• Color: white.

With a width equivalent to three standard modules, it allows four-pole 40 A AC-7A switching in a compact panel space.

Terminals for power and control circuits

The contactor uses independent tunnel terminals for the power circuit and the control circuit.

The technical documentation published for the range specifies a tightening torque of 3.5 Nm for the power terminals and approximately 0.8 Nm for the control circuit terminals.

It is important to respect the specified conductor cross-sections and tightening torques to avoid contact resistance and abnormal heating.

Compatibility with Acti9 auxiliaries

The A9C20844 is compatible with control auxiliaries from the Acti9 platform. Compatible family references indicated by Schneider Electric include:

• iACTp.
• iATEt.
• iACTc.
• iACTs.

These auxiliaries expand control, signaling, and timing possibilities according to the panel configuration.

Degree of protection

The contactor offers an IP20 degree of protection as a standalone device in accordance with IEC 60529.

When correctly installed inside a suitable modular enclosure, Schneider Electric indicates a degree of protection of up to IP40 for the assembly under the corresponding conditions.

Environmental conditions

• Operating ambient temperature: -5 to 60 °C.
• Storage temperature: -40 to 70 °C.
• Relative humidity: up to 95% at 55 °C.
• Operating altitude: up to 2,000 m.

Utilization categories

The technical documentation for this reference covers different utilization categories depending on the application:

• AC-7A: household or similar resistive or slightly inductive loads.
• AC-7B: household or similar motor loads.
• AC-1: non-inductive or slightly inductive loads.
• AC-3: switching of certain motors.
• AC-5a / AC-5b: certain lighting loads.

Permissible current and electrical durability vary according to the category, so the contactor should always be selected based on the actual load and not solely on its commercial 40 A rating.

It does not include electrical protection

The A9C20844 is a switching contactor. Its function is to connect and disconnect loads remotely via the control coil.

It does not itself provide protection against overloads, short circuits, or earth leakage. The installation must include miniature circuit breakers, fuses, residual current devices, or motor protection devices correctly selected according to the load and circuit.

Technical characteristics of the Schneider Electric A9C20844

• Brand: Schneider Electric.
• Reference: A9C20844.
• Range: Acti9.
• Family: Acti9 iCT.
• Type: modular contactor.
• Application: motor, heating, and lighting.
• Number of poles: 4P.
• Contact composition: 4 NO.
• Rated current AC-7A: 40 A.
• Rated current AC-7B: 15 A.
• Network type: AC.
• Rated operational voltage Ue: 400 V AC, 50 Hz.
• Control circuit voltage Uc: 220-240 V AC.
• Control frequency: 50 Hz.
• Control signal type: maintained.
• Control: remote control.
• Inrush consumption: 53 VA.
• Holding consumption: 6.5 VA.
• Rated insulation voltage Ui: 500 V AC.
• Impulse withstand voltage Uimp: 4 kV.
• Pollution degree: 2.
• Mechanical position indicator: yes.
• Low-noise operation: yes.
• Maximum switching frequency: 100 operations/day.
• Mounting: 35 mm symmetrical DIN rail.
• Width: 54 mm.
• Height: 85 mm.
• Depth: 60 mm.
• Modular width: 3 modules of 18 mm.
• Power circuit tightening torque: 3.5 Nm.
• Control circuit tightening torque: approximately 0.8 Nm.
• Mechanical durability: up to 1,000,000 cycles.
• Electrical durability AC-7A at 40 A: up to 100,000 cycles.
• Electrical durability AC-7B at 15 A: up to 30,000 cycles.
• Degree of protection: IP20.
• Protection in modular enclosure: up to IP40.
• Operating temperature: -5 to 60 °C.
• Storage temperature: -40 to 70 °C.
• Maximum altitude: 2,000 m.
• Main standard: IEC/EN 61095.
• EAN: 3606480088629.

Compact four-pole contactor for load automation

The Schneider Electric Acti9 iCT A9C20844 combines four normally open contacts, 40 A AC-7A capacity, and 220-240 V AC control in a modular format of only 54 mm. It is especially suitable for automating heating, lighting, ventilation, and small motor loads using timers, thermostats, and other control systems.

Its mechanical indicator, low noise level, compatibility with Acti9 auxiliaries, and high durability make it ideal for use in residential, commercial, and tertiary panels where remote four-pole switching is required.

Important: the A9C20844 is a switching device, not a protection device. The 40 A rating applies to AC-7A category; in AC-7B the rated current is 15 A. It must be installed together with the overload, short-circuit, and earth leakage protection appropriate for the load and installation.