What is the HX series and what applications is it built for?

The GIGAVAC HX series is a hermetically sealed high-voltage DC contactor family that combines 1500 Vdc switching and up to 1000 A continuous current in a remarkably compact package — a class-leading performance level few competitors match. Thanks to the patented EPIC® ceramic insulation it switches across 12 to 1500 Vdc, both at low and high voltages. UL508 certified for hot switching at parameters as high as 1000 V, the HX is the smallest such contactor in the world. It is preferred for 1500 V solar inverters, battery boxes, wind power systems, electric buses and trucks.

What is EPIC® insulation technology?

EPIC stands for "Extended Performance Impervious Ceramic" — GIGAVAC's patented ceramic insulation technology, in production since 2006. It allows the HX series to switch up to 1500 Vdc inside a far more compact body than conventional designs. The hermetic build fully isolates the device from environmental effects, while EPIC® safely quenches the high-voltage arc. The same EPIC® seal lets these high-voltage contactors exceed IP67 and IP69 — they operate even submerged. The same technology is used in the GX and MX families.

What are the current and voltage ranges of the HX series?

Continuous contact current spans 200 A (HXNC241) to 1000 A (HX460), with 300 A (HX22), 350 A (HX21, HX200) and 400 A (HX241) in between. Every model is rated for 1500 Vdc switching. The 12-to-1500 Vdc usable range makes the HX ideal for modern high-voltage battery packs at 800 V, 1000 V and 1500 V.

Why is the HX called the world's smallest contactor of its class?

Conventional 1500 V DC contactors are big and heavy. Thanks to EPIC® insulation, the HX series delivers the same switching capacity in a far more compact body. HX21 and HX241 weigh just 0.38-0.44 kg — under half a kilogram. The result: minimum panel footprint, compact integration in battery boxes and ESS modules, and a real weight advantage in EV buses and trucks.

What is hot switching and why does it matter?

Hot switching is the ability to open and close the contactor under live load. Most DC contactors are rated only for cold switching (after current is cleared) — opening under load forms an arc that damages the contacts. The HX is UL508-certified for hot switching at parameters as high as 1000 V, which is critical for emergency stop, protection circuits and applications with dynamic load changes.

What is the mechanical life of the HX series?

Every HX model is rated for 1,000,000 mechanical cycles. Even in high-frequency switching this represents many years of service life — at 100 cycles per day, theoretical life exceeds 27 years. It delivers long-term reliability in EV buses, solar inverters and always-on ESS systems.

In which environmental conditions does the HX operate?

The HX operates from -55 °C to 85 °C. With IP67 and IP69K protection it is fully sealed against water and dust — IP69K means it withstands high-pressure hot water washdown. This makes the HX safe for outdoor solar inverters, EV truck and bus underbody systems, wind turbine nacelles and humid industrial environments.

Which variants exist in the HX series?

The HX series consists of 6 main models: • HX21 — 350 A, the most popular model • HX22 — 300 A • HX200 — 350 A • HX241 — 400 A • HX460 — 1000 A (highest-current model) • HXNC241 — 200 A normally-closed (NC) variant Each main model has coil-voltage sub-variants: HX21CAB (24 V), HX241BAB (12 V), HX241CAB (24 V), HX460CAA (24 V), and so on. All models switch up to 1500 Vdc.

How are HX contactors used in electric vehicles?

The HX is the flagship high-voltage contactor family for EVs that use high-voltage battery systems — electric buses, trucks and other heavy electric vehicles. Typical EV uses include the main battery contactor, DC fast-charge inlet contactor, pre-charge circuit, auxiliary-load (HVAC, compressor) isolation, and emergency disconnect. Its 1500 V capability easily covers modern 800 V and 1000 V architectures where traditional sub-800 V contactors fall short. For megawatt charging (MCS) and heavy electric vehicle projects, the HX is the default choice.

How are HX contactors used in solar and wind applications?

The HX is purpose-built for renewable infrastructure and is the standard contactor choice for 1500 Vdc utility-scale solar. It is used as the DC input contactor in string inverters, the main DC disconnect in central inverters, the combination/protection contactor in solar combiner boxes, and the battery connect/isolation contactor in hybrid ESS. Over 90 % of modern utility-scale solar runs on 1500 Vdc, where the HX is one of the few valid solutions. In wind turbines it is preferred for nacelle-internal DC links and crowbar protection. IP67 & IP69K protection makes it ideal for outdoor and humid environments.

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

HX and GX make up GIGAVAC's high-voltage families and share the same patented EPIC® ceramic insulation, but they target different segments: • GX series: switching up to 800 Vdc, 26 models, ideal for EV main contactors and general industrial use. • HX series: switching up to 1500 Vdc, up to 1000 A continuous, class-leading performance in a compact body, UL508 hot switching, 1,000,000-cycle mechanical life. Under 800 V choose GX; above 800 V — and especially at 1500 V — choose HX. For modern utility-scale solar (1500 V), electric bus/truck (800 V+) and megawatt charging, HX is the standard choice.

When is the HXNC241 normally-closed contactor preferred?

The HXNC241 is the normally-closed (NC) variant of the HX series. Where standard NO models close on coil energise, the HXNC241 opens on coil energise — and the contact auto-closes when the coil is de-energised. It is preferred in safety-critical applications: emergency stop (E-stop) systems, fail-safe circuits, passive battery connection systems and crowbar protection. It offers 200 A continuous current and 1500 Vdc switching.

Which standards does the HX series comply with?

The HX complies with: • UL508 (Industrial Control Equipment) — hot-switching certification • IP67 (dust-tight + 1 m submersion) • IP69K (high-pressure hot-water washdown) • RoHS • CE Mark of Conformity For EV and solar certification specifics, a Sensata application review is recommended.

How is an HX contactor mounted?

Thanks to their compact build HX contactors can be mounted in any orientation. Their small size (~0.38-0.44 kg) means a minimum panel footprint and reduced vibration load. Stainless-steel mounting inserts ensure years of corrosion-free service in humid and vibrating applications — suitable for EV underbody chassis mounting, in-battery-box mounting and solar inverter panel mounting alike.

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HX Series — High-Voltage and High-Current DC Contactors1500 Vdc · 1000 A

1500 Vdc · 200-1000 A · UL508 hot switching · 1,000,000 cycle mechanical life · IP67 & IP69K · World's smallest high-voltage DC contactors

GIGAVAC HX series uses patented EPIC® ceramic insulation to combine high-voltage and high-current switching in a compact hermetic body that is rare in this size class. It switches DC loads from 12 to 1500 Vdc; the sealed compact form (≈ 0.38–0.44 kg) minimises panel footprint and delivers significant space and cost savings versus traditional HV contactors.

Operating from -55 °C to 85 °C, HX is the default choice for utility-scale 1500 V solar inverters and string boxes, wind power systems, EV / bus / truck high-voltage battery packs, ESS and DC fast-charging stations. The family includes standard NO models plus the HXNC (Normally Closed) variant, with 6 main models from 200 A to 1000 A.

Solar Inverter (1500V Utility-Scale)Solar Combiner BoxWind TurbinesElectric Bus & TruckEV High-Voltage SystemsBattery Packs (1500V)Energy Storage (ESS)DC Fast-Charging StationsIndustrial Power Electronics

SERIES CERTIFICATIONS05APPROVALS

UL
CE
RoHS
REACH
EPIC®

Certifications vary by model — see the corresponding model datasheet for details.

REFERENCE SPECIMENHX · 01

EPIC® SEALED1500 Vdc DC CONTACTORSENSATA

Models

Products

228

01Maximum Switching Voltage: 1500 Vdc
02Continuous Current (HX460): 1000 A
03Mechanical Life (cycles): 1,000,000
04Hot-Switching Standard: UL508

SHARED ACROSS ALL MODELSVoltage:1500 VdcSwitching Voltage:1500 Vdc max.Continuous Current:200 A — 1000 A (HX460)Mechanical Life:1,000,000 cyclesProtection:IP67 & IP69K

HX Series High-voltage Contactor Models

Sorted by current rating (150A → 1000A)

7 MODELS216 PRODUCTS

SHARED IN THIS GROUPContact Form:SPST-NO

CONFIGURATOR	MODEL↑ current	Continuous Current	Mounting	Coil Options	MECHANICAL LIFE	PDF
	HX200	350 A	Bottom Mount	12/24/48 Vdc	1,000,000 cycles	Datasheet (PDF) — HX200
CONFIGURATOR · HX200
	HX21	350 A	Stand-up Mount	12/24/48 Vdc	1,000,000 cycles	Datasheet (PDF) — HX21
CONFIGURATOR · HX21
	HX22	400 A	Stand-up Mount	12/24/48 Vdc	1,000,000 cycles	Datasheet (PDF) — HX22
CONFIGURATOR · HX22
	HX241	400 A	Bottom Mount	12/24/48 Vdc	1,000,000 cycles	Datasheet (PDF) — HX241
CONFIGURATOR · HX241
	HX242	400 A	Side Mount	12/24/48 Vdc	1,000,000 cycles	Datasheet (PDF) — HX242
CONFIGURATOR · HX242
	HX360	800 A	Bottom Mount	12/24/48 Vdc	1,000,000 cycles	Datasheet (PDF) — HX360
CONFIGURATOR · HX360
	HX460	1000 A	Bottom Mount	12/24 Vdc	1,000,000 cycles	Datasheet (PDF) — HX460
CONFIGURATOR · HX460

NC Main Contact DC Contactors

1 MODELS12 PRODUCTS

CONFIGURATOR	MODEL	Continuous Current	Contact Form	Mounting	Coil Options	MECHANICAL LIFE	PDF
	HXNC241	200 A	SPST-NC	Bottom Mount	12/24/48 Vdc	1,000,000 cycles	Datasheet (PDF) — HXNC241
CONFIGURATOR · HXNC241

MODEL CONFIGURATOR · HXREF · IMB · CFG · 228 VARIANTS

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Auxiliary contact rating: 2A, 24VDC (Form A = SPST-NO and Form B = SPST-NC). Note: on HX360 the B code denotes an SPDT (NO + NC) auxiliary; on HX460 the same SPDT auxiliary is coded as A.

TECHNICAL DIFFERENTIATORS

Why HX Series?

05 · CATEGORIES

EPIC® Patented Ceramic Insulation

GIGAVAC's patented ceramic insulation
Hermetic seal exceeding IP67/IP69K — even underwater operation.
Wide 12 to 1500 Vdc switching range
One family covers 600 V, 800 V, 1000 V and 1500 V architectures.

Built for 1500 V Solar and EV

Standard choice for modern utility-scale 1500 Vdc solar
One of the few valid solutions for solar inverters, string and combiner boxes.
Designed for EV buses/trucks and HV battery packs
Dedicated contactor for renewable and heavy-transport electrification.

Long Life and Endurance

1,000,000-cycle mechanical life
Many years of service even in high-frequency switching duty.
IP67 & IP69K protection, -55 °C to 85 °C
Resistant to water, dust, pressure washdown and extreme temperatures.

Class-Leading Performance

1500 Vdc and 1000 A in a single device
Few competitors offer high voltage and high current at this size.
Sub-half-kilo body (0.38-0.44 kg)
Significant footprint and assembly advantage over traditional HV contactors.

UL508 Hot Switching

Hot switching at parameters as high as 1000 V
Open/close under live load — critical for E-stop and protection circuits.
UL508 (Industrial Control Equipment) certification
International approval for industrial control panels and power systems.

DATASHEET · GUIDE · APPLICATION NOTE

HX Series — Technical Resources

17 · FILES

Datasheets

HX21 350 A 1500 Vdc DatasheetSOON
HX22 300 A 1500 Vdc DatasheetSOON
HX200 350 A 1500 Vdc DatasheetSOON
HX241 400 A 1500 Vdc DatasheetSOON
HX460 1000 A 1500 Vdc DatasheetSOON
HXNC241 200 A NC DatasheetSOON

Selection Guides

GIGAVAC Contactors & Fuses Selection Guide (2026)SOON
Sensata EL Contactor Portfolio Brochure (2025)SOON
HX Series High-Voltage Contactor Selection GuideSOON

Application Notes

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

About the HX series

14/14

+8 MORE QUESTIONSALL QUESTIONS

RELATED INSIGHTS · HXREF · IMB · PUB · 08 ENTRIES

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HX Series — High-Voltage and High-Current DC Contactors1500 Vdc · 1000 A

Haven't picked a model from the table? Configure from scratch

Why HX Series?

EPIC® Patented Ceramic Insulation

Built for 1500 V Solar and EV

Long Life and Endurance

Class-Leading Performance

UL508 Hot Switching

HX Series — Technical Resources

Datasheets

Selection Guides

Application Notes

About the HX series

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GIGAVAC Akıllı Kontaktör Serileri ve GigaFuse

Elektrikli Araçlar için Preşarj Devresi Tasarımı

Hibrit ve EV Uygulamalarında Preşarj Hesabı

Kontaktör ve Yüksek Voltaj Rölesi Seçimi

Elektrikli Araç Teknolojilerinde Geleceğin Standartları

Elektrikli Araçlarda Termal Kaçak Nedenli Yangınlar

BMS Topolojileri

DC Kontaktörlerde Kontak Yapışması Durumu

HX Series — High-Voltage and High-Current DC Contactors1500 Vdc · 1000 A

Haven't picked a model from the table? Configure from scratch

Why HX Series?

EPIC® Patented Ceramic Insulation

Built for 1500 V Solar and EV

Long Life and Endurance

Class-Leading Performance

UL508 Hot Switching

HX Series — Technical Resources

Datasheets

Selection Guides

Application Notes

About the HX series

01What is the HX series and what applications is it built for?

02What is EPIC® insulation technology?

03What are the current and voltage ranges of the HX series?

04Why is the HX called the world's smallest contactor of its class?

05What is hot switching and why does it matter?

06What is the mechanical life of the HX series?

Go deeper

GIGAVAC Akıllı Kontaktör Serileri ve GigaFuse

Elektrikli Araçlar için Preşarj Devresi Tasarımı

Hibrit ve EV Uygulamalarında Preşarj Hesabı

Kontaktör ve Yüksek Voltaj Rölesi Seçimi

Elektrikli Araç Teknolojilerinde Geleceğin Standartları

Elektrikli Araçlarda Termal Kaçak Nedenli Yangınlar

BMS Topolojileri

DC Kontaktörlerde Kontak Yapışması Durumu