R_Lefebvre
Expedition Leader
It sounds like solenoid that you linked to would take 750A to make the circuit, and would not be energized below 100A? Doesn't seem right... I bet I'm understanding this wrong.
No, that's not right at all. I believe what they mean is the solenoid can handle 750Amps at the instant contact is made, such as switching a large motor with a huge inrush current when it starts up. Once running, it can only break 100Amps. Above 100Amps, the current might arc across the contacts and not be able to shut off the load.
I see this with situation with motor contactors in an industrial setting, particularly in an E-stop situation. It's something I have to design around. When the E-stop button is pushed, our motor controllers go into a fast stop mode, and dump large current back into the power grid. If we get things wrong and the contactor tries to open when this is happening, the current arcs right across the open contacts. Makes for a great sound and light show! We must design the system so that the contactors only open after the motor controller has finished braking.