C230A (2-pole 30 A)

Packard · Definite purpose · 2-pole

All contactors

C230A (2-pole 30 A)

Packard · DP 30 A frame

The generic 2-pole 30 A definite-purpose contactor found in condensers, small recips and air handlers everywhere. Box-lug terminals, universal mounting plate, interchangeable with Mars/JARD and Titan equivalents.

Ratings
FLA (inductive)
30 A @ 240–600 V
LRA (locked rotor)
180 A @ 240 V · 150 A @ 480 V
Resistive
40 A
Utilization
Definite purpose (UL 508), AC-8a equivalent
Single-phase HP
2 HP @ 115 V · 5 HP @ 230 V
Coil data
Available coil voltages
24 VAC (most common), 120 VAC, 208–240 VAC
Inrush VA
≈ 31 VA
Sealed (holding) VA
≈ 5 VA
Pickup voltage
≥ 85% of rated coil voltage
Dropout voltage
20–65% of rated
Typical measured coil resistance (±15%, ballpark)
24 VAC≈ 9–14 Ω
120 VAC≈ 200–350 Ω
208–240 VAC≈ 800–1,200 Ω

OL = open coil · near zero = shorted turns · coil-to-frame must read >1 MΩ.

Coil resistance checker

Pick the coil voltage, enter your meter reading across A1–A2 (coil disconnected), and compare it to the expected ballpark.

Ω
This model (24 VAC table value)9 Ω14 Ω
Generic mid-frame 24 VAC4 Ω9 Ω

OL = open coil. 0–2 Ω = shorted turns (often from a cooked transformer). Ballpark only (±15%+); electronic wide-range coils (e.g. ABB AF) read misleading values — test those at rated voltage instead. Always measure coil-to-frame too: must be >1 MΩ.

Terminals & accessories
Power/coil terminals: Line L1/L2 top, load T1/T2 bottom (double-check — many DP frames are feed-either-end). Coil on the side ears.
Auxiliary contacts: None standard — snap-on aux blocks not available; use a fan relay or separate aux relay if a contact is needed
Cross-references
Field notes
  • Chatter at 24 V almost always means a loaded-down control transformer — measure coil volts while energized, not open-circuit.
  • Pitted contacts that look 'fine' can still drop 1–2 V across each pole; measure voltage drop T1→L1 under load — anything over ~2% of line voltage is a replace.
  • Never file silver-alloy contact tips; replacement costs less than the callback.