title: NEMA contact ratings
text: # NEMA contact ratings
  
  NEMA contact ratings are how much current at a rated voltage a relay or other pilot device can switch. The current rating of smaller NEMA contactors or their auxiliaries are defined by NEMA ICS 5: Industrial Control and Systems, Control Circuit and Pilot Devices standard. The nomenclature is a letter followed by a three-digit number, the letter designates the current rating of the contacts and the current type (i.e., AC or DC) and the number designates the maximum voltage design values.
  
  ## AC Contact Ratings
  
  | Contact Rating Designation | Thermal Current | Voltage |
  | - | - | - |
  | A150 | 10 | 150 |
  | A300 | 10 | 300 |
  | A600 | 10 | 600 |
  | B150 | 5 | 150 |
  | B300 | 5 | 300 |
  | B600 | 5 | 600 |
  | C150 | 2.5 | 150 |
  | C300 | 2.5 | 300 |
  | C600 | 2.5 | 600 |
  | D150 | 1 | 150 |
  | D300 | 1 | 300 |
  | E150 | 0.5 | 150 |
  
  ## DC Contact Ratings
  
  | Contact Rating Designation | Thermal Current | Voltage | Voltamperes |
  | - | - | - | - |
  | N150 | 10 | 150 | 275 |
  | N300 | 10 | 300 | 275 |
  | N600 | 10 | 600 | 275 |
  | P150 | 5 | 150 | 138 |
  | P300 | 5 | 300 | 138 |
  | P600 | 5 | 600 | 138 |
  | Q150 | 2.5 | 150 | |
  | Q300 | 2.5 | 300 | |
  | Q600 | 2.5 | 600 | |
  | R150 | 1 | 150 | |
  | R300 | 1 | 300 | |
  