Bal Contact Canted-Coil Spring Serves as Electrical Contact

The Bal Contact, an electrically conductive canted-coil spring from Bal Seal Engineering Inc., Foothill Ranch, Calif. (www.balseal.com), maintains nearly constant force over a range of working deflections. This lets it compensate for mating tolerances, surface irregularities, and temperature changes without altering its initial force. The durable contacts are self-cleaning in dynamic and vibrating environments and can handle up to 200 A/spring. The springs, which are made of a silver-plated copper alloy, provide multiple electrical contacts to ensure reliable current flow without overheating. Typical applications, according to the company, include busbar connections, gas-insulated switchgear contacts, circuit breakers, and industrial fuse boxes. They can also be used for EMI shielding and grounding.

Edited by Stephen J. Mraz