Blown Contactor Troubles

[handlebarz]

So, yesterday I plugged in my controller and got it going. Everything was going well, then I walked across the room and heard the internal breaker pop. I unplugged the controller, opened it up and a small white puff of smoke came up off the contactor, which was incredibly hot to the touch.

I let it cool down, plugged it back in and now there is no power going to the element.

I've ordered another contactor, but obviously I don't want to blow another one. A little more background: it's a 30amp controller and I did have a dedicated 50amp circuit going to it. I changed the breaker out and it's now a 30amp circuit. I also have a 5500watt element in the kettle. Should I get a smaller element? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[lschiavo]

Is it possible that you had the wrong coil voltage? What is the contactor rated?

 

[handlebarz]

This is the contactor: http://www.ebrewsupply.com/220v-2p-63a-110v-coil-din-rail-contactor/

 

[doug293cz]

This is the contactor: http://www.ebrewsupply.com/220v-2p-63a-110v-coil-din-rail-contactor/

What voltage are you applying to the coil?

Brew on

 

[Bobby_M]

Do you have four wires running to the controller (hot,hot,ground,neutral)? If you only have three then you are applying 220v to the coil and smoking it.

 

[handlebarz]

Do you have four wires running to the controller (hot,hot,ground,neutral)? If you only have three then you are applying 220v to the coil and smoking it.

I have four wires going to it, yes.

I contacted the vendor--he seemed to think there was a wire that came loose during shipment.