Question 1

What is the MX series, and which applications is it designed for?

Accepted Answer

The GIGAVAC MX series is a hermetically sealed DC contactor family engineered to meet MIL-R-6106 — designed for military vehicles and heavy-duty applications. The hermetic ceramic-insulated body operates up to 200 °C. It is preferred for heavy-duty industrial switching, military vehicle power management, off-road vehicles, forklift / AGV, ESS isolation, high-inrush applications and heavy industrial machinery. The 26+ model line offers 150 A to 1000 A continuous contact current and switches up to 48 Vdc.

Question 2

What sets the MX series apart from competitors?

Accepted Answer

The MX series' key advantage is its contact construction. Built to withstand extreme currents, it shows no contact welding or sticking even under sudden, high-current conditions. This makes it one of the industry's most reliable DC contactor families against inrush-induced welding. It is the primary reason MX is chosen for ESS make-current, motor inrush, and heavy-duty industrial systems.

Question 3

What is the MX current range, and which model carries which current?

Accepted Answer

Continuous contact current spans 150 A (MX11/MX21) up to 1000 A (MX110). Intermediate ratings: 200 A (MX22, MX32, MX52, MX62), 300 A (MX23), 400 A (MX14, MX24, MX34, MX54, MX64, MXL14, MXNC14, MXSA, MXSB, MXC), 500 A (MX15, MXSL15, MXST15) and 600 A (MX16, MX46, MX56, MX66, MXST16). Inrush capability reaches 6000 A.

Question 4

What do silver contacts provide in the MX series?

Accepted Answer

Silver contacts in the MX series deliver long service life. Their low contact resistance keeps heating to a minimum, translating into longer life and reliable performance. Combined with the superior contact construction, the silver build prevents melting or welding even under sudden, high-current bursts — a critical advantage in heavy-duty industrial switching, motor control and high-frequency on/off applications.

Question 5

What is the dual-coil design and what is it for?

Accepted Answer

The dual-coil design splits operation between two coils:
• Pick-up coil — energises at full power on closing, generating the magnetic field that fully seats the contacts.
• Hold coil — runs at low power once closed, retaining the contactor in position.

This dramatically lowers annual energy use in always-on applications. Compared with single-coil contactors it draws far less power — a major benefit for EV main contactors, ESS isolation and continuous industrial duty.

Question 6

How does MX comply with MIL-R-6106?

Accepted Answer

MIL-R-6106 is the U.S. DoD military standard for electromagnetic relays and contactors. It mandates reliable operation under extreme conditions — high temperature, vibration, shock, humidity, and military-vehicle environments. The MX series meets these requirements through hermetic ceramic insulation, silver contacts, dual-coil design and operation up to 200 °C — making it the preferred choice for military vehicles, defence systems, engine-bay control and aerospace.

Question 7

Which heavy-duty smart variants exist in the MX series?

Accepted Answer

Beyond the standard NO models, MX includes a rich set of heavy-duty smart variants:
• MXNC14 — Normally Closed contact
• MXL14 — Latching: changes state on a momentary pulse and holds without coil power
• MXSA — Current sensing with overcurrent protection
• MXSB — Analog-output current-sensing contactor
• MXSL15 — Automatic low-voltage protection
• MXST15/MXST16 — Time-delay (delayed release) DC contactors
• MXC — CAN-bus digital communication contactor

Question 8

What do the MXST15 / MXST16 time-delay contactors do?

Accepted Answer

MXST15 (500 A) and MXST16 (600 A) are delayed-opening DC contactors. After coil energy is removed, they hold the circuit closed for a pre-set delay. This is critical in DC-load systems for ride-through during brief power dips, controlled shutdown sequences, controlled discharge of capacitive loads and bridging the changeover time in backup-power systems. Coil control: 12 Vdc or 24 Vdc.

Question 9

How does the MXSA overcurrent-protection contactor work?

Accepted Answer

MXSA is a DC contactor with a built-in current sensor. It continuously measures main-contact current and emits an automatic trip signal once an adjustable threshold is exceeded — combining switching and protection in a single unit. This collapses the external-sensor-plus-protection-relay-plus-contactor stack into one device, saving space, wiring and commissioning time. The trip threshold is configurable for different applications. With 400 A continuous capacity it suits heavy-duty industrial feeders.

Question 10

What does the MXSL15 low-voltage protection contactor do?

Accepted Answer

MXSL15 is an automatic low-voltage protection contactor for battery-powered systems. When battery voltage drops below a configured threshold it opens the circuit automatically — protecting the cells from over-discharge and extending battery life. It is preferred in forklift, AGV, off-road vehicles and ESS systems. Continuous current 500 A, rated 48 Vdc.

Question 11

How does the MXC CAN-bus contactor communicate?

Accepted Answer

MXC is a digitally-communicating DC contactor with a CAN-bus interface. Beyond the standard NO/NC contact function it streams real-time data over CAN: contact state (open / closed / fault), instantaneous current, instantaneous voltage, and accepts open/close commands. It integrates directly with a BMS, eliminating the need for separate sensors and parallel wiring — preferred in EV power management, ESS control panels and modern industrial systems with digital supervision.

Question 12

What is the key difference between MX and GX?

Accepted Answer

MX and GX share the same ceramic insulation technology but are optimised for different segments:

• GX series: switching up to 800 Vdc, ideal for EV and ESS, operating from -55 °C to 85 °C.
• MX series: up to 48 Vdc, but with a superior contact build delivering 6000 A inrush, MIL-R-6106 compliance, operation up to 200 °C, and best-in-class resistance to inrush-induced welding.

MX is the choice for heavy-duty industrial and military duty; GX is the choice for high-voltage mobility. Where you need high current under 48 V, military certification, high temperature, or critical inrush resistance — MX leads.

Question 13

How is an MX contactor mounted?

Accepted Answer

MX contactors are position-independent — they can be mounted in any orientation. Depending on the model there are four mount types: bottom mount (MX11/12/14/16/22/23/24/110), stand-up (MX32/62/64), side mount (MX34/52/54/56) and busbar mount (MX66/46). Stainless-steel mounting inserts ensure years of corrosion-free service in humid environments, vibrating military vehicles and heavy-duty industrial use.

Question 14

Which standards does the MX series comply with?

Accepted Answer

MX complies with:
• MIL-R-6106 (military certification — its key feature)
• cRUus certified (UL Recognition for Canada and the USA)
• RoHS compliant
• CE Mark of Conformity
• IP67 / IP69K protection (model dependent)

Some contact ratings or coil versions may need additional certification — a Sensata application review is recommended based on the requirement.

About the MX Series series

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

02What sets the MX series apart from competitors?

03What is the MX current range, and which model carries which current?

04What do silver contacts provide in the MX series?

05What is the dual-coil design and what is it for?

06How does MX comply with MIL-R-6106?

07Which heavy-duty smart variants exist in the MX series?

08What do the MXST15 / MXST16 time-delay contactors do?

09How does the MXSA overcurrent-protection contactor work?

10What does the MXSL15 low-voltage protection contactor do?

11How does the MXC CAN-bus contactor communicate?

12What is the key difference between MX and GX?

13How is an MX contactor mounted?

14Which standards does the MX series comply with?