ABB AF16Z-30-10-21 Contactor

Original Factory Order No.: 1SBL176001R2110

1. Model Breakdown Definition

AF16Z 30 10 21

1. AF16Z: AF series; Z = Low-power electronic wide-range coil (direct PLC drive capable); Frame size 16 class
2. 30: Main contacts: 3 Normally Open (3NO), no main Normally Closed contacts
3. 10: Built-in auxiliary contacts: 1 Normally Open (1NO), 0 Normally Closed
4. 21: Coil code → Control voltage: 24～60 V AC 50/60Hz / 20～60 V DC

⚠️ Difference between AF…Z and standard AF: Extremely low coil power consumption, supports direct driving by DC24V PLC outputs, resistant to voltage dips (compliant with SEMI F47).

2. Core Electrical Ratings

Maximum main circuit voltage: 690 V AC

AC-1 (resistive load), ≤40°C ambient: 30 A

AC-3 (3-phase motor, 400 V): 18 A, suitable for 7.5 kW motor

AC-3 (690 V): 10.5 A, max. 9 kW

Mounting: DIN rail mounting, screw terminal connection

Overall dimensions: W 45 mm × H 86 mm × D 77 mm

Operating temperature: -40～+70 °C (without thermal overload relay); -25～+60 °C (with thermal overload relay)

3. Key Coil Characteristics

Wide-range AC/DC universal: AC 24~60 V / DC 20~60 V

Built-in surge suppression; no external RC snubber or diode required

Low holding power consumption, ideal for continuous energized operation

Withstands short-term voltage fluctuations and voltage drops

4. Terminal Identification

Main circuit: 1L1-2T1, 3L2-4T2, 5L3-6T3

Auxiliary contact: 14NO (Normally Open)

5. Common Alternatives & Distinctions
6. AF16Z-30-10-11: Same voltage range, equipped with standard AF coil (non low-power Z coil); cannot be directly driven by low-current PLC outputs, not interchangeable.
7. AX16-30-10: AX economy series, without electronic wide-range coil, fixed control voltage; cannot replace AF16Z.
8. For 1NO + 1NC auxiliary contacts: Select model AF16Z-30-11-21.
9. Typical Applications

Upstream of variable frequency drives, fans & water pumps, HVAC equipment, semiconductor machinery, PLC DC output direct load control, industrial sites requiring high tolerance to voltage fluctuations.

ABB AF16Z-30-10-21 Contactor Installation Technical Document

Order No.: 1SBL176001R2110

1. General Safety Instructions

⚠️ All installation, wiring and maintenance work must be carried out with all power disconnected; lockout-tagout procedure is mandatory. Work shall only be performed by qualified electricians.

1. Protection class: IP20. For cabinet installation only. Do not install in open air, wet environments, locations with heavy dust or corrosive gas exposure.
2. Applicable standards: IEC/EN 60947-1, IEC/EN 60947-4-1; UL/CSA certified.
3. AF16Z is equipped with a low-power electronic wide-range coil with integrated surge suppression circuit. No external RC snubber or diode connection is required.
4. Basic Product Information

2.1 Model Definition

AF16Z: AF series, frame size 16, Z = low-power electronic coil

30: 3 normally open main contacts

10: Built-in 1 normally open auxiliary contact

21: Coil voltage range AC 24～60 V 50/60Hz / DC 20～60 V

2.2 Overall Dimensions

Width 45 mm × Height 86 mm × Depth 77 mm

2.3 Rating Summary Table

3. Mechanical Installation Specifications

3.1 Mounting Methods

Two mounting options available:

1. DIN Rail Mounting (Recommended)

Rail standard: TS35 (35×7.5 mm / 35×15 mm)

Operation: Hook the bottom latch onto the rail, press down until an audible click confirms locking. For removal, use a flat screwdriver to pry the bottom latch and lift upwards.

2. Base Plate Screw Mounting

Fasten diagonally using 2 × M4 screws; refer to outline drawing for mounting hole spacing.

3.2 Mounting Orientation & Clearance

1. Vertical mounting (terminals top & bottom) preferred. 90° horizontal side mounting is permitted; upside-down installation is forbidden.
2. Multiple units may be mounted side-by-side without current derating. Maintain ≥15 mm vertical clearance for ventilation; keep away from heat-generating components such as resistors and inverters.
3. Avoid installation in high-vibration locations. Vibration acceleration >0.5g requires vibration damping measures.
4. Electrical Wiring Specifications

4.1 Terminal Marking Definition

Upper main circuit: L1, L2, L3 (Power Inlet)

Lower main circuit: T1, T2, T3 (Load Outlet)

Non-UL applications allow power feed from top or bottom; UL certified installations require power input from upper L terminals.

Coil terminals A1, A2: Control signal input (AC/DC non-polarized)

Auxiliary contact 13-14: Built-in normally open contact (1NO)

4.2 Cable Specification & Stripping Length

Standard wire stripping length: 10 mm

Main circuit conductors: Solid/stranded copper cable 1～6 mm²; ferrules recommended for flexible cables

Control / auxiliary circuit conductors: 0.75～2.5 mm²

4.3 Tightening Torque (Mandatory)

Main circuit terminals: 1.5 N·m

Coil A1/A2 & auxiliary contact terminals: 1.2 N·m

Insufficient torque causes terminal overheating; excessive torque leads to thread stripping.

Recommended tools: PZ2 Pozidriv screwdriver / 5.5 mm flat torque screwdriver.

5. Critical Coil Application Notes (Core Feature of AF16Z)
6. Voltage range: AC24～60 V / DC20～60 V, wide voltage compatibility, direct drive by PLC DC outputs.
7. Very low coil holding power consumption, suitable for long-term energized operation; compliant with SEMI F47 voltage sag immunity requirements.
8. A1 and A2 are non-polarized; polarity does not matter for DC24V control.
9. Do not apply control voltage exceeding 60 V, otherwise the electronic coil module will be destroyed.
10. Optional Accessory Installation
11. Side-mounted auxiliary contacts (CA4 series)

Snap-fit onto left/right side slots without tools. Maximum 2 sets of side auxiliary contacts can be fitted to AF16.

2. Mechanical interlock

Install for reversing circuit configuration of two AF16Z contactors to prevent simultaneous closing and short circuit between forward and reverse phases.

3. Thermal overload relay matching

Compatible with TA25DU series thermal relays, direct snap-fit mounting underneath the contactor.

7. Commissioning Procedure After Power-On
8. Under power-off condition: Visual inspection for correct wiring, no metallic debris, all terminals tightened to specified torque.
9. Manually actuate contactor mechanism to confirm smooth operation without jamming.
10. Test control circuit independently: Apply rated control voltage to A1/A2; contactor shall pull in reliably and drop out smoothly upon power removal.
11. Verify synchronous switching of auxiliary contact 13-14 with contactor operation.
12. Connect main circuit for no-load test run; check for abnormal noise and rapid terminal temperature rise.
13. 30-minute loaded operation test; recheck terminal temperature to ensure temperature rise stays within allowable limits.
14. Installation Faults & Prohibited Practices

❌ Forbidden operations:

Exposed loose strands on cable terminals

Tightening terminals while energized

Control voltage outside the 20～60 V range

Blocking ventilation channels above and below the contactor

Direct installation in environments with combustible dust or continuous condensation

Common Post-Installation Issues

1. Contactor chattering/unstable pull-in: Verify control voltage is above minimum operating level; check voltage drop along control cables.
2. Terminal overheating: Retighten terminals to specified torque; confirm conductor cross-section is adequate.
3. Failure to pull in when driven by PLC: Confirm unit is AF16Z (low-power coil); standard AF16 coil cannot be directly driven by PLC transistor outputs.
4. Maintenance Requirements
5. Periodic inspection of terminal temperature and abnormal noise.
6. Avoid repeated switching above rated breaking capacity.
7. Never operate the contactor with arc shield removed. Replace the complete unit when contacts suffer severe ablation.

Mechanical Life Parameters of ABB AF16Z-30-10-21

The AF16Z shares identical mechanical construction with standard AF16. Official technical data:

✅ Mechanical endurance: 10 million operating cycles (10×10⁶ operations)

Test conditions: Rated control voltage, no-load switching, standard ambient temperature.

Supporting Key Parameters

1. Maximum mechanical operating frequency: 3,600 operations per hour

Continuous high-frequency operation shall not exceed this limit to avoid accelerated mechanical wear.

2. Reference electrical endurance (depends on load type, not equal to mechanical life)

AC-3 (400 V motor load): Approx. 1,000,000 cycles

AC-1 (resistive load): Approx. 1,600,000 cycles

⚠️ Mechanical endurance represents the mechanical operating limit; service life in practical applications is normally determined by electrical erosion of contacts.

Supplementary Remarks

1. AF16Z only differs by its low-power electronic wide-range coil variant. Armature, linkage and contact mechanical structure are identical to standard AF16; mechanical endurance ratings remain unchanged.
2. Actual mechanical endurance will decrease under harsh environments (heavy dust, continuous vibration, high temperature).
3. Definition of mechanical endurance: Operating cycles of contactor pull-in/drop-out driven by coil only, with no load connected to main circuit.