Sensata Gigavac MX12CA DC Contactor

The Sensata Gigavac MX12CA is a sealed hermetic DC contactor from the MX12 Series, designed for rugged low-voltage DC switching applications that require 200A current capacity and 24VDC coil operation. It uses chassis mounting, stud and wire lead termination, 38 cm / 15 in flying leads, and an SPST normally open contact arrangement with no auxiliary contact. This model is suitable for military vehicles, heavy-duty equipment, battery disconnect systems, industrial DC power control, marine power systems, material handling equipment, and rugged 12V to 48V DC applications. In this model, the main switching circuit and the 24VDC coil control circuit are separate electrical paths.

Product Description

The Sensata Gigavac MX12CA DC contactor is built for rugged low-voltage, high-current DC switching applications. As part of the MX12 Series, this model provides a 200A continuous current rating and is designed for 12V to 48V DC power systems. It is commonly used in military vehicles, off-road equipment, battery disconnect systems, material handling platforms, marine electrical systems, industrial DC cabinets, and heavy-duty power control assemblies.

The MX12CA uses an SPST-NO contact arrangement, also described as 1 Form A. The main contact remains open when the coil is not energized and closes when the 24VDC coil receives the correct control voltage. This allows a low-voltage control circuit to switch a high-current DC load path. The load-side switching circuit and the 24VDC coil circuit are separate electrical paths, even when both are used in low-voltage DC equipment.

A key advantage of the Sensata Gigavac MX12CA is its hermetically sealed construction. The sealed contact chamber helps protect the internal contact system from dust, moisture, oxidation, and contaminated environments. This is important for military vehicles, heavy-duty machinery, industrial battery systems, and outdoor DC power equipment where open-frame contactors may have reduced service life.

The MX12 Series is designed for demanding duty cycles and high inrush conditions. The datasheet lists 200A continuous current with 2 AWG conductor conditions, along with short-duration overload capability including 1200A for 1 second, 800A for 10 seconds, and 300A for 90 seconds. It also lists 200A at 24VDC resistive load switching for 100,000 cycles, making the MX12CA suitable for rugged DC power systems where startup surge or short overload events may occur.

The MX12CA configuration includes 38 cm / 15 in flying leads and no auxiliary contact. This makes it a simpler option for systems where separate contactor feedback is not required. For applications that need status feedback, an auxiliary-contact version such as MX12CAB should be selected instead.

Key Features

• Genuine Sensata Gigavac MX12 Series DC contactor
• 200A contact rating for low-voltage DC power control
• Designed for rugged 12V to 48V DC systems
• 24VDC coil for control circuit operation
• SPST-NO contact form, also described as 1 Form A
• No auxiliary contact for simplified circuit designs
• Hermetically sealed construction for harsh environments
• Stud and 38 cm / 15 in wire lead termination
• Silver contacts for long life and weld-resistant operation
• Designed for MIL and heavy-duty DC applications

Applications

The MX12CA DC contactor is suitable for systems that need reliable connection and disconnection of high-current, low-voltage DC circuits. Typical applications include military vehicles, electric utility vehicles, off-road machinery, battery disconnect units, forklifts, marine battery systems, emergency power equipment, industrial control cabinets, and heavy-duty DC distribution systems.

In a battery system, the Sensata Gigavac MX12CA can be used as a main contactor, load disconnect contactor, charge path contactor, or safety isolation device depending on the circuit design. Its 200A current rating makes it suitable for medium-to-high current low-voltage platforms, while the 12V to 48V system range makes it better matched to rugged low-voltage DC systems rather than high-voltage EV traction platforms.

Why Choose Sensata Gigavac MX12CA

The Sensata Gigavac MX12CA is a strong option when the system requires 200A current capacity, 24VDC coil operation, sealed construction, chassis mounting, 15 in wire leads, and no auxiliary contact. Compared with ordinary open contactors, the hermetic seal helps improve reliability in vibration, moisture, and contamination-prone environments.

For replacement and maintenance projects, MX12CA should be selected when the original design requires MX12 Series performance with 200A contact rating, 24VDC coil voltage, SPST-NO contact form, 38 cm / 15 in flying leads, and no auxiliary contact. Before ordering, confirm coil voltage, load current, switching voltage, mounting space, terminal type, and auxiliary contact requirement.

FAQ

Q1: What is the full product name of MX12CA?
A1: The full product name is Sensata Gigavac MX12CA DC Contactor.

Q2: What is the current rating?
A2: The contact rating current is 200A.

Q3: What does 24VDC mean?
A3: 24VDC is the coil voltage used to operate the contactor, not the main load circuit rating.

Q4: Does MX12CA include an auxiliary contact?
A4: No. MX12CA does not include an auxiliary contact.

Q5: What lead length does MX12CA use?
A5: MX12CA uses 38 cm / 15 in flying leads.

Q6: Where is MX12CA commonly used?
A6: It is commonly used in military vehicles, heavy-duty equipment, battery disconnect systems, marine DC systems, and industrial low-voltage DC power control.