This catalog covers the Appleton Contender Series factory sealed control stations and pilot lights, rated for hazardous locations under NEC/CEC Class I, Division 1, Groups C, D; Class I, Division 2, Groups B, C, D; Class II, Division 1 and 2, Groups E, F, G; and Class III, with NEMA 3, 7CD, and 9EFG enclosures. The Appleton catalog lists push buttons, selector switches, pilot lights, mounting bodies, covers, replacement parts, and nameplate options.

What hazardous location ratings apply to Appleton Contender control stations?

Appleton Contender stations carry NEC/CEC Class I, Division 1, Groups C, D; Class I, Division 2, Groups B, C, D; Class II, Division 1 and 2, Groups E, F, G; and Class III ratings. NEMA ratings are 3, 7CD, and 9EFG. The Appleton catalog does not include Class I, Division 1, Group B for this series; it directs users to the EFDB Series for Division 1, Group B applications.

These devices confine arcing within the enclosure, preventing ignition of ignitable atmospheres during control operation of motors and other equipment. Applications named in the Appleton catalog include chemical plants, petrochemical plants, refineries, and other process industries where corrosive elements are present.

How does factory sealing eliminate conduit sealing fittings on Appleton Contender stations?

The factory sealed enclosure eliminates the need to add sealing fittings and compound at each conduit entrance. This saves installation labor and reduces the number of potential leak paths on a control station. The Appleton catalog specifies that covers are UL Listed when used on Contender bodies, and the stations are furnished with an internal ground screw.

For tandem bodies, the Appleton catalog adds a scoping requirement: external seals must be installed within 1.5 meters, or 5 feet, of each conduit entrance for Class I, Groups C and D. Without this external seal, the tandem configuration does not meet the stated Class I, Groups C and D rating.

What materials and contact construction make Appleton Contender push buttons corrosion resistant?

The control station body and cover are malleable iron. The standard finish is a triple coat of zinc electroplate, chromate, and epoxy powder coat. This combination provides corrosion resistance in process environments. The Appleton catalog lists copperfree aluminum with 4/10 of 1% maximum copper for selector switch operators, push button upper barrels, and pilot light guards.

Push button and selector switch contacts are silver cadmium oxide, sealed in a lower phenolic chamber isolated from corrosive elements.
The stainless steel push button shaft operates within a stainless steel bushing for maintenance free operation.
Captive stainless steel hex head screws hold covers to bodies.
An enclosed stainless steel helper spring prevents accidental operation in severe vibration installations.
Momentary push buttons are supplied with lockout type guards as standard, accepting locks with up to 1/4 inch hasp.

SPBB push buttons use a copperfree aluminum upper barrel, phenolic lower barrel, and nylon plastic button. Dust cap push buttons use neoprene buttons.

How do you configure pilot lights and selector switches on Appleton Contender stations?

Factory sealed pilot lights are supplied with a jewel and guard assembly and a 120 Vac/Vdc, 50/60 Hz, 6 Watt lamp. LED pilot lights are available as an option in red, green, and amber. Pilot light jewel colors include amber, opal, clear, blue, and green, ordered by suffixes J6, J8, J10, J11, and J3. Transformers are available for 220, 277, 440, and 550 Vac primaries, each stepping down to 120 Vac, with suffixes S801 through S804.

Selector switches include 2 position, 2 circuit and 4 circuit maintained contact models, plus 3 position, 2 circuit and 4 circuit maintained contact models. Modified three position selector switches add spring return to center on one side while maintaining contact on the other, with suffixes S634, S635, and S636. Selector switch lockout accessory S349 locks a two or three position handle in any position.

What mounting bodies and dimensions apply to Appleton Contender enclosures?

Mounting bodies are available in 1 gang, 2 gang, 3 device, and tandem configurations. Dead end bodies use the EDS prefix, and feed through bodies use the EDSC prefix. Hub sizes are 1/2 inch, 3/4 inch, and 1 inch. Bodies and covers are malleable iron by default; aluminum bodies and covers are ordered by adding suffix SA.

1 gang body height A is 153.9 mm, or 6.06 inches, for 1/2 and 3/4 inch hubs.
2 gang body height A is also 153.9 mm, or 6.06 inches, for 1/2 and 3/4 inch hubs.
3 device body height A is 211.8 mm, or 8.34 inches.
Tandem body height A is 287.3 mm, or 11.31 inches, for 1/2 and 3/4 inch hubs.

A nameplate mounting bracket, catalog NPBRKT-C0NT, secures under cover screws. The Appleton catalog instructs to torque cover screws to 35 inch pounds. Mount the bracket between cover screws and cover, not between the ground joint flame path and the backbox.

When should you add a transformer or LED option to an Appleton Contender pilot light?

Add a transformer when the available control voltage is 220, 277, 440, or 550 Vac and the pilot light lamp is 120 Vac. The transformer clamps directly to the pilot light barrel, and only one pilot light transformer assembly per one gang body is permitted. Use suffix S801 for 220 Vac, S802 for 277 Vac, S803 for 440 Vac, and S804 for 550 Vac.

Choose an LED pilot light when lamp replacement frequency or power draw matters. LED replacements are listed as 120 Vac, 10 mA, with catalog numbers EPLLEDR for red, EPLLEDG for green, and EPLLEDA for amber. Incandescent replacement bulbs are 6 Watt, Type 6S6, catalog EPL-B6W.

Summary

Appleton Contender factory sealed control stations are rated NEC/CEC Class I, Division 1, Groups C, D; Class I, Division 2, Groups B, C, D; Class II, Division 1 and 2, Groups E, F, G; Class III; NEMA 3, 7CD, 9EFG.
Factory sealing removes the need for sealing fittings at conduit entrances, but tandem bodies still require external seals within 5 feet for Class I, Groups C and D.
Bodies and covers are malleable iron with epoxy powder coat; aluminum bodies and covers are ordered with suffix SA.
Pilot lights default to red jewel and 6 Watt, 120 Vac incandescent lamps, with LED and transformer options listed by suffix.
Nameplate mounting bracket NPBRKT-C0NT must be mounted between cover screws and cover, with cover screw torque set to 35 inch pounds.

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Appleton Contender Factory Sealed Control Stations: Ratings and Crouse-Hinds EDS Compatibility