Review on 💡 Packard C240A Contactor - Optimized for Voltage Applications by Mark Harris

This replaced an OEM Payne 40 amp contactor. I'd never fixed an air conditioner before, but looking inside it seemed like a rocket scientist didn't need to figure out the problem and fix it. I was right. The contactor is known as a "relay" in the rest of the non-HVAC world. Here's what it looked like to me: A classic low voltage circuit crimping contacts for a high voltage circuit. It was exactly that, and this unit did just that, simply replacing the OEM relay. It doesn't look quite like an OEM contactor. The mounting holes are in a different location, so some mounting holes need to be drilled for mounting with original contactor screws. Also, the lugs on the high voltage connectors are not quite the same as the OEM ones: the original connector had two screw contacts for the power side wires and then two screws holding the power side wire. This block is screwed on all four corners. I simply cut off the tabs on the power side, stripped and twisted the wires. Other wires used crimp connectors and simply plugged directly into the tabs on this device. The final difference is that the relay terminals for 24VAC control on this unit are on the north and south sides of this relay, not the "west" side of the OEM. So this block isn't exactly the same as the OEM, but the difference is minor and doesn't affect operation in any way. Time will tell how well this device will hold up. If I can get 25% OEM life I'll be more than happy.