Sensata Gigavac MX12FCB

Sensata Gigavac MX12FCB is a 200A DC Power Contactor from the MX12 series, designed for low-voltage battery cabinets, backup power modules, telecom-style DC systems, compact industrial panels, and auxiliary power distribution. This DC Power Contactor uses an SPST-NO contact form, a 48VDC coil, stud power terminals, long flying lead control termination, chassis mounting, auxiliary contact functionality, and hermetically sealed construction. It is intended for 12-48VDC power architectures where reliable high-current switching is needed without using an 800V or 1500V high-voltage contactor platform.

MX12FCB is useful when the equipment already uses a 48V auxiliary supply and needs a compact 200A switching device. The 122 cm flying lead configuration gives designers additional harness routing flexibility, allowing the contactor to be mounted near the battery cable or busbar while the control wiring reaches a remote controller, interlock board, or service panel. The sealed MX12 construction helps protect the contact chamber from dust, humidity, and contamination in real equipment environments.

Product Positioning

MX12FCB should be positioned as a 48V coil DC Power Contactor for medium-current low-voltage battery systems. It is different from MX14BA and MX15CE because those models target higher current classes, while MX12FCB focuses on 200A applications where smaller size and long control leads are more useful. It is also different from GV, GX, and HX high-voltage contactors because the MX12 platform is focused on low-voltage 12-48VDC switching.

The auxiliary contacts make MX12FCB suitable for monitored low-voltage switching. A controller can compare the coil command with auxiliary feedback before enabling a charger, inverter, battery branch, or downstream load. In backup power and telecom-style systems, that feedback can support start-up sequencing, service interlocks, fault detection, and controlled shutdown behavior.

Key Specifications

• Manufacturer series: Sensata Gigavac MX12
• Part number: MX12FCB
• Product type: DC Power Contactor
• Contact form: SPST-NO, 1 Form A
• Rated current: 200A
• Switching voltage range: 12-48VDC according to distributor listings
• Coil voltage: 48VDC
• Coil current: approximately 160mA according to distributor data
• Coil power: approximately 7.6W according to distributor data
• Coil resistance: approximately 300 ohms according to distributor data
• Must operate voltage: approximately 28VDC according to DigiKey data
• Must release voltage: approximately 1.8VDC according to DigiKey data
• Termination style: stud terminals and wire leads
• Lead length: 122 cm / 48 in according to MX12 series listing
• Mounting type: chassis mount
• Auxiliary contacts: included
• Contact material: silver
• Construction: hermetically sealed
• Operating temperature range: -55°C to +100°C
• Typical operate time: approximately 30ms
• Typical release time: approximately 12ms

Features and Benefits

The main benefit of MX12FCB is the combination of 200A low-voltage DC switching and a 48VDC coil. Many battery cabinets, telecom power shelves, compact backup systems, and industrial DC panels use 48VDC as a native control or auxiliary voltage. Selecting a DC Power Contactor with a matching coil can simplify the control architecture and reduce the need for additional conversion hardware.

The long flying leads are useful in cabinet and battery-pack layouts. A contactor often needs to sit close to the main current path, but the control board may be located in a separate protected area. MX12FCB allows the coil and auxiliary wiring to route cleanly across the enclosure without forcing a board-mounted contactor layout.

The auxiliary contacts support supervised operation. Instead of relying only on coil command, the system can use feedback to confirm whether the DC Power Contactor has changed state. This is valuable in battery cabinets, charger interfaces, and backup power systems where contactor state affects safety, service procedures, and operating sequence.

Stud terminals provide secure high-current connection points for cables or busbars. Even at low voltage, 200A current paths require proper conductor sizing, torque, thermal design, and fuse coordination. MX12FCB gives OEMs a practical power-terminal format for compact but serious DC power assemblies.

Hermetically sealed construction helps maintain switching reliability in harsh environments. Dust, moisture, vibration, and temperature variation can reduce the life of open contactor designs. A sealed DC Power Contactor helps protect the internal contact system and supports stable operation across long service intervals.

Applications

MX12FCB is especially suitable for battery cabinets and 48V backup power systems. In a telecom battery shelf, UPS module, small energy cabinet, or industrial backup system, this DC Power Contactor can isolate a battery branch, connect an inverter input, switch a charger path, or disconnect a protected output during service and fault events.

The contactor can also be used in compact DC distribution, low-voltage industrial panels, battery test fixtures, mobile service equipment, charger support circuits, and auxiliary power modules. Its 200A rating is appropriate for medium-current loads where a smaller relay is not enough and a 400A or 500A contactor would be oversized.

Selection Guide

Before selecting MX12FCB, confirm that the application is within the 12-48VDC switching range and 200A current class. Review continuous current, peak current, inrush current, load type, switching frequency, thermal rise, and expected duty cycle. Battery loads, inverter inputs, chargers, and motor circuits can create different switching stresses, so the DC Power Contactor should be evaluated in the complete system.

The coil supply should be a stable 48VDC source. If the equipment uses 12VDC or 24VDC control power, another MX12 coil version may be more suitable. Designers should also verify flying lead routing, auxiliary contact wiring, stud terminal clearance, cable bend radius, enclosure protection, and service access.

FAQ

What is MX12FCB used for?

MX12FCB is used for 12-48VDC switching in battery cabinets, backup power modules, telecom DC systems, charger interfaces, and compact DC distribution panels.

Is MX12FCB a DC Power Contactor?

Yes. MX12FCB is a Sensata Gigavac MX12 series DC Power Contactor with 200A current rating and 12-48VDC switching range.

What coil voltage does MX12FCB use?

MX12FCB uses a 48VDC coil. Distributor data lists approximately 160mA coil current and 7.6W coil power.

Does MX12FCB include auxiliary contacts?

Yes. DigiKey lists MX12FCB with auxiliary contacts and hermetically sealed construction.

How is MX12FCB different from MX15CE?

MX12FCB is a 200A MX12 contactor with a 48VDC coil and long flying leads, while MX15CE is a 500A MX15 contactor with a 24VDC coil for heavier low-voltage current paths.

Conclusion

MX12FCB is a 200A 12-48VDC DC Power Contactor for battery cabinets, telecom-style backup systems, compact industrial panels, and medium-current low-voltage DC distribution. With its Sensata Gigavac MX12 sealed construction, 48VDC coil, stud terminals, 122 cm flying leads, chassis mounting, auxiliary contacts, and normally open contact form, it is a practical choice for OEM designs that need monitored 48V-controlled DC switching in a compact power assembly.