Question 1

What is the P series MiniTACTOR™ and which applications is it built for?

Accepted Answer

The GIGAVAC P series MiniTACTOR™ is a hermetic DC contactor family that delivers GIGAVAC's patented power-switching technology in a compact and lightweight (100-140 g) body. Sensata Technologies positions it under the "Pre-Charge Contactors" category. Typical applications: EV and industrial pre-charge circuits, battery charge/discharge systems, photovoltaic (PV) and solar, ESS connection control, telecom power systems, DC fast-charging stations and compact power electronics. Being significantly lighter than other hermetic contactor families is the main reason it is chosen for space- and weight-constrained applications.

Question 2

What does MiniTACTOR™ mean and how does it differ from other GIGAVAC contactors?

Accepted Answer

MiniTACTOR™ is GIGAVAC's patented compact power contactor design. Key differences from the brand's other families:

• Size and weight: 100-140 g — well under half a kilo and far lighter than other hermetic families (GX ~250-400 g, MX ~200-500 g).
• Bidirectional switching: safe break in both current directions — ideal for battery charge/discharge.
• Application focus: optimised for pre-charge circuits and solar PV; positioned as a support/auxiliary switching element rather than the main power contactor.
• Economical patented design: a cost-effective alternative to high-voltage relays and large contactors.

While GX/MX/HX/GV are main power-switching families, the P series sits as the supporting / specialty contactor.

Question 3

Which P-series models exist and what current/voltage do they cover?

Accepted Answer

The P family covers 4 main models:

• P105 — 50 A, 1200 Vdc, 112 g — general pre-charge and battery applications
• P115 — 50 A, 1500 Vdc, 135 g — solar/PV (NEC 690.11 and 690.12 certified)
• P125 — 30 A, 1200 Vdc, ~115 g — low-current compact applications
• P195 — 80 A, 1500 Vdc, ~140 g — highest-current model, utility-scale solar and EV pre-charge

All models offer 12, 24 and 48 Vdc coil options (BDA = 12 V, CDA = 24 V, FDA = 48 V). The PNC113 (30 A · 1200 Vdc, permanent NC) variant is managed as a separate part number for safety / isolation circuits.

Question 4

What is bidirectional switching and why does it matter?

Accepted Answer

Bidirectional switching means the contactor can safely break in both current directions. Most DC contactors are unidirectional — arc suppression is weaker for reverse current and contact life shortens. The P series MiniTACTOR™ delivers full performance in both directions.

This is critical in:
• battery charge/discharge circuits (current flows both ways)
• EV pre-charge circuits (capacitor charging one way, discharge the other)
• bidirectional DC-DC converters
• ESS hybrid systems (charge and discharge modes)

A single model handling both directions cuts system cost and complexity.

Question 5

Why is P115 the go-to choice for solar/PV?

Accepted Answer

P115 is the P family's model optimised for solar applications. Key features:

• UL listed, cRUus — USA & Canada safety approval
• NEC 690.11 — DC arc fault interrupting requirement
• NEC 690.12 — rapid shutdown requirement
• Approved for 600 Vdc and 1000 Vdc PV systems
• 1500 Vdc maximum switching voltage — suits utility-scale 1500 V solar

NEC 690 standards are the legal safety requirements for PV systems in the USA. P115 is one of the contactors that meets them directly — preferred for solar inverter inputs, string boxes, combiner boxes and rapid-shutdown circuits.

Question 6

Why is the P series so light, and what advantages does that bring?

Accepted Answer

Patented MiniTACTOR™ engineering lets the P series deliver traditional hermetic contactor performance in a much smaller and lighter body. P105 is just 112 g, P115 is 135 g — well under half a kilo.

Weight advantages:
• Mobile applications (forklifts, AGVs, robotics) where every gram counts
• EV and electric mobility — lower total vehicle mass, longer range
• Solar inverter modules — modular design, easy handling and installation
• Telecom cabinets — limited space and weight budget
• Direct PCB mounting — minimal mechanical stress on the board

At roughly 1/3 to 1/4 the weight of other hermetic contactors, the P series is the default choice in the "compact power electronics" segment.

Question 7

How is the P series mounted?

Accepted Answer

P-series MiniTACTOR™ contactors can be mounted in any orientation — position independent. Two main mounting options:

• Panel mount: M4 power terminal studs and M3 coil terminal studs allow standard above- or below-panel mounting.
• Direct PCB mount: compact size and low weight allow direct soldering or stud connection to the board.

The light frame means installation takes seconds and needs no additional support hardware. The direct-PCB option makes the P series particularly valuable for manufacturers integrating contactors at board level.

Question 8

Which certifications does the P series carry?

Accepted Answer

The P series complies with:

• UL508 — Industrial Control Equipment
• cRUus — Canada/USA UL approval
• RoHS2 — Restriction of Hazardous Substances
• CE Mark of Conformity
• IP67 & IP69K — water and dust protection
• NEC 690.11 and 690.12 (P115 only) — solar PV safety standards

Certifications vary by model — request a Sensata application review for your specific requirement.

Question 9

How is the P series used in EV pre-charge circuits?

Accepted Answer

The P series MiniTACTOR™ is preferred specifically as the pre-charge contactor in EV pre-charge circuits. A typical layout:

• Main contactor: GX or HX series (high-current)
• Pre-charge contactor: P series MiniTACTOR™ (low-current, compact)
• Pre-charge resistor: limits capacitor inrush

The pre-charge contactor controls the capacitor-bank charge — preventing the very high inrush and contact welding that direct connection would cause. The P series' bidirectional switching means a single model handles both charge and discharge legs. Its low mass keeps the EV's overall system weight to a minimum.

IMB Electric blog posts cover pre-charge circuit design and calculation in detail.

Question 10

How is the P series used in solar inverter and string-box applications?

Accepted Answer

On the DC side of solar PV systems the P series covers several critical functions:

• String inverter input: safe connection of DC power from PV strings
• String / combiner box: disconnect and protection where multiple strings are combined
• Rapid-shutdown circuits: panel-level fast disconnect per NEC 690.12
• DC arc-fault interrupting: automatic disconnect on DC arc per NEC 690.11

P115 is certified specifically for these applications, while P195 — at 80 A — fits utility-scale (1500 V) PV plants. The hermetic body delivers long life outdoors and in aggressive environments.

Question 11

When should I pick the P series versus other GIGAVAC families?

Accepted Answer

Pick by application role and requirement:

• P series (MiniTACTOR™): low-current (30-80 A) support / pre-charge contactor, weight- and space-constrained systems, solar PV needing NEC 690 certification.
• GX series: main EV power contactor, high-current switching up to 800 V (general-purpose flagship).
• MX series: heavy-duty industrial and military (MIL-R-6106), high inrush and weld resistance.
• HX series: 1500 V utility-scale solar and electric bus/truck (high voltage + high current together).
• GV series: economical multi-variant general purpose (automotive, marine, ESS).

In many systems the P series is used as the pre-charge / supporting contactor alongside a GX/MX/HX/GV main contactor.

Question 12

What is the electrical life of the P series?

Accepted Answer

Mechanical life is 1,000,000 (one million) cycles. Electrical life depends on load type, current, switching frequency and voltage. Typical references:

• Low-current switching (pre-charge): 200,000+ cycles
• Resistive load below 50 A: 100,000+ cycles
• Solar string switching: 50,000-100,000 cycles

Always cross-check the datasheet electrical-life curves against your application. Bidirectional switching gives consistent performance in both directions, but high-current inductive loads need care — for those, prefer the GX/MX main-contactor families over the P series.

Question 13

How is the P series used in telecom applications?

Accepted Answer

The P series MiniTACTOR™ fits telecom power systems for DC supply and backup circuits. Typical uses:

• 48 Vdc base-station power switching
• Battery-backup connect / isolate
• Pre-charge control in DC fast-charging systems
• Emergency disconnect circuits in telecom cabinets

Its compact size, low weight and hermetic seal are especially valuable in telecom — cabinets are space- and weight-constrained, and outdoor enclosures see humidity and dust. The 48 Vdc coil option (FDA variant) is the telecom standard.

Question 14

What are the lead time and pricing for the P series?

Accepted Answer

The P series MiniTACTOR™ is one of GIGAVAC's high-demand families. Standard variants (P105, P115, P195) are usually available from stock with short lead times. Its "economical patented design" positioning gives a clear cost advantage over high-voltage relays and large premium contactors. As GIGAVAC's authorised distributor in Türkiye, IMB Electric provides stock checks, pricing and technical support. Special pricing and engineering assistance are available for solar projects, EV manufacturing and OEM applications.

About the P Series series

01What is the P series MiniTACTOR™ and which applications is it built for?

02What does MiniTACTOR™ mean and how does it differ from other GIGAVAC contactors?

03Which P-series models exist and what current/voltage do they cover?

04What is bidirectional switching and why does it matter?

05Why is P115 the go-to choice for solar/PV?

06Why is the P series so light, and what advantages does that bring?

07How is the P series mounted?

08Which certifications does the P series carry?

09How is the P series used in EV pre-charge circuits?

10How is the P series used in solar inverter and string-box applications?

11When should I pick the P series versus other GIGAVAC families?

12What is the electrical life of the P series?

13How is the P series used in telecom applications?

14What are the lead time and pricing for the P series?