Question 1

What is the GX series and which applications is it designed for?

Accepted Answer

The GIGAVAC GX series is a hermetically sealed DC contactor family proven in thousands of applications since 2002. Insulation uses a patented ceramic technology, giving the contactors high-temperature tolerance and long service life. Designed by Sensata Technologies for mobility and a wide range of industrial uses, the 26-model line offers 150 A to 1000 A continuous contact current and switching up to 800 Vdc. It is preferred for EV power management, energy-storage systems (ESS), industrial machine control, forklift / AGV, pre-charge circuits, military and off-road vehicles.

Question 2

What is the maximum operating voltage of the GX series?

Accepted Answer

Standard GX models switch up to 800 Vdc. The PWM-coil GXV600 and GXV611 reach 900 Vdc, and the GXVB611 reaches 1000 Vdc. The rated voltage is the upper limit defined for make/break cycles; using these contactors at higher system voltages requires a Sensata application review.

Question 3

What is the current range of the GX series?

Accepted Answer

Continuous contact current ranges from 150 A (GX11/GX21) up to 1000 A (GX110). Intermediate ratings: 225 A (GX12), 350 A (GX14, GX23, GX34, GXL14, GXNC14), 600 A (GX16, GX26, GX66, GXV600/611, GXVB611, GXSA16). Inrush capability reaches 5000 A — handling EV pre-charge and ESS make-current safely.

Question 4

In which environmental conditions do GX contactors operate?

Accepted Answer

The GX series operates from -55 °C to 85 °C and, thanks to its hermetic seal, performs reliably in harsh environments — including underwater. It is engineered to handle nearly any harsh atmosphere, can be mounted in any position (bottom, side, busbar, stand-up), and uses stainless-steel hardware and inserts for years of corrosion-free service.

Question 5

Which coil control voltages does the GX series offer?

Accepted Answer

150-225 A models (GX11, GX12, GX21) offer six options: 12, 24, 48, 72, 120 Vdc and 120/240 Vac. 350-1000 A models offer three standard DC coil options: 12, 24, 48 Vdc. All DC coil variants include internal coil suppression — no external diode is needed. PWM variants (GXV600, GXV611) offer Internal PWM and External PWM drives.

Question 6

How is a GX contactor mounted?

Accepted Answer

GX contactors are position-independent — they can be mounted in any orientation. Depending on the model, four mount types are available: bottom mount, stand-up, side mount and busbar mount. Stainless-steel mounting inserts ensure years of corrosion-free service in humid and high-vibration applications.

Question 7

Which standards does the GX series comply with?

Accepted Answer

Many GX models are cRUus certified (UL Recognition for Canada and the USA). All GX models are RoHS compliant, and CE Mark of Conformity is available for many. Some contact ratings and coil variants may not be UL recognized — a Sensata technical review is recommended based on the application requirement.

Question 8

Which smart variants exist in the GX series?

Accepted Answer

Beyond standard NO (Normally Open) models, the GX line includes smart variants: GXNC14 — NC (Normally Closed) contact; GXL14 — Latching, switches state with a coil pulse and holds without coil power; GXSA16 — Current Sensing with overcurrent protection; GXC — CAN-bus digital communication; GXV600/611/VB611 — PWM-driven coil with low holding power.

Question 9

What advantage do the PWM-coil GXV models offer?

Accepted Answer

GXV600 and GXV611 use PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) coil drive — full power at pick-up, modulated pulse width during hold to reduce continuous power draw. In always-on EV main contactor and ESS isolation applications this materially lowers annual energy cost. GXV600/611 reach 900 Vdc; GXVB611 reaches 1000 Vdc.

Question 10

When is the GXL14 latching contactor preferred?

Accepted Answer

The GXL14 latching contactor changes state on a momentary coil pulse and stays there with no further coil power. This is ideal for passive battery isolation, long-term storage, emergency disconnects and any application where coil power matters. With 350 A continuous and 800 Vdc switching it is widely used in EV and ESS systems.

Question 11

How does the GXSA16 current-sensing contactor work?

Accepted Answer

The GXSA16 integrates a current sensor inside the contactor. It continuously measures main-contact current and produces an automatic trip signal once a configurable threshold is exceeded. This collapses the external-sensor-plus-protection-relay-plus-contactor stack into one unit — saving panel space, wiring and commissioning time. With 600 A continuous and 800 Vdc capability it suits main power feeds.

Question 12

How is coil suppression handled in GX contactors?

Accepted Answer

All DC coils in GIGAVAC contactors include internal coil suppression to keep EMF within controllable levels — no external diode, snubber or RC network is required. In fact, adding external suppression slows the release time and shortens product life, which can lead to contact welding at low currents because the contactor cannot break the load fast enough. For the rare cases that mandate a parallel diode, contact Sensata technical support for an application review.

Question 13

What is the key difference between the GX and MX series?

Accepted Answer

GX and MX share the same ceramic insulation technology but use different fill gases. GX uses a hydrogen-rich fill that supports high-voltage switching up to 800 Vdc. MX uses a nitrogen fill, which trades some voltage capability for higher inrush and overload performance at lower voltages. MX also meets MIL-R-6106 and is engineered specifically for military and heavy-duty applications.

Question 14

Which GX model should I pick for an EV pre-charge circuit?

Accepted Answer

EV pre-charge typically needs high inrush (capacitor charging) and low continuous current. For battery packs up to 800 Vdc, GX11 (150 A), GX12 (225 A) or GX14 (350 A) are suitable. For the always-on main contactor, the PWM-coil GXV600/611 offers a low-holding-power advantage. The right pick depends on system voltage, capacitor value, pre-charge time and target inrush — get in touch with IMB Electric for a sizing review.

About the GX Series series

01What is the GX series and which applications is it designed for?

02What is the maximum operating voltage of the GX series?

03What is the current range of the GX series?

04In which environmental conditions do GX contactors operate?

05Which coil control voltages does the GX series offer?

06How is a GX contactor mounted?

07Which standards does the GX series comply with?

08Which smart variants exist in the GX series?

09What advantage do the PWM-coil GXV models offer?

10When is the GXL14 latching contactor preferred?

11How does the GXSA16 current-sensing contactor work?

12How is coil suppression handled in GX contactors?

13What is the key difference between the GX and MX series?

14Which GX model should I pick for an EV pre-charge circuit?