Sensata Gigavac MX15CE

Sensata Gigavac MX15CE is a 500A DC Power Contactor from the MX15 series, designed for low-voltage high-current switching in industrial power systems, utility vehicles, marine DC panels, battery modules, and heavy auxiliary circuits. This DC Power Contactor uses an SPST-NO contact form, a 24VDC coil, stud power terminals, chassis mounting, and hermetically sealed construction. It is intended for 12-48VDC power architectures where current demand is high but the system does not require an 800V or 1500V high-voltage contactor platform.

MX15CE is positioned between the 400A MX14 family and larger 600A contactor options. It gives equipment designers a useful 500A rating for demanding low-voltage DC circuits while keeping the installation focused on rugged chassis-mounted power equipment. The sealed MX15 design helps protect the contact system from dust, moisture, and contamination, supporting stable operation in mobile machinery, industrial cabinets, marine compartments, and battery-powered equipment.

Product Positioning

MX15CE should be positioned as a heavy-duty DC Power Contactor for 24V-controlled low-voltage power systems. It is different from GV, GX, and HX high-voltage contactors because its switching range is focused on 12-48VDC applications. This makes it better suited to forklift power, service vehicles, utility equipment, marine battery systems, inverter feeds, and low-voltage distribution panels.

The 24VDC coil is a key selection point. Many industrial machines and mobile platforms use 24V auxiliary power for controllers, relays, sensors, and safety circuits. Selecting MX15CE allows designers to match that control supply while gaining a 500A DC Power Contactor for high-current loads. The no-frills stud terminal format also works well in equipment where high-current cables or busbars must be connected directly to the contactor.

Key Specifications

• Manufacturer series: Sensata Gigavac MX15
• Part number: MX15CE
• Product type: DC Power Contactor
• Contact form: SPST-NO, 1 Form A
• Rated current: 500A
• Switching voltage range: 12-48VDC according to distributor data
• Coil voltage: 24VDC
• Coil current: approximately 97mA according to DigiKey data
• Coil power: approximately 2.3W according to DigiKey data
• Coil resistance: approximately 247.42 ohms according to DigiKey data
• Must operate voltage: approximately 16VDC according to DigiKey data
• Must release voltage: approximately 2VDC according to DigiKey data
• Termination style: stud terminals
• Mounting type: chassis mount
• Contact material: silver
• Construction: hermetically sealed
• Operating temperature range: -55°C to +100°C
• Typical operate time: approximately 20ms
• Typical release time: approximately 12ms

Features and Benefits

The main benefit of MX15CE is its 500A current rating for low-voltage DC equipment. A DC Power Contactor in this class can switch heavy battery paths, motor feeds, inverter inputs, hydraulic pump circuits, winch power, and main disconnect circuits. It gives engineers more current margin than 400A models while avoiding unnecessary high-voltage contactor complexity.

The 24VDC coil supports common industrial and mobile control architectures. In equipment that already has a 24V control rail, MX15CE can be driven by the existing control system without adding a separate coil supply. This helps simplify wiring and makes the contactor easier to integrate into machinery that uses 24V controllers, switches, and protection devices.

Stud terminals provide secure high-current connection points. Low-voltage systems can carry very high current, so cable size, torque, terminal spacing, and thermal design matter. MX15CE is built for direct high-current connection through stud terminals, making it suitable for power compartments and DC distribution layouts.

The hermetically sealed construction helps protect the internal contact chamber from environmental contamination. Dust, humidity, vibration, and temperature changes are common in vehicles, battery enclosures, marine systems, and factory equipment. A sealed DC Power Contactor helps maintain consistent switching performance under those operating conditions.

Applications

MX15CE is especially suitable for low-voltage industrial power systems. In a 24V or 48V equipment platform, this DC Power Contactor can serve as a main battery disconnect, motor circuit contactor, inverter input switch, pump control contactor, or protected branch switching device. The 500A current rating gives it enough capacity for demanding loads that exceed smaller relay and contactor families.

The contactor can also be used in utility vehicles, material handling equipment, marine DC panels, compact backup power systems, service vehicles, battery test fixtures, and heavy auxiliary power assemblies. In these applications, MX15CE provides controlled switching for 12-48VDC circuits where reliability and current capacity are more important than high-voltage rating.

For OEMs designing rugged low-voltage equipment, MX15CE offers a practical combination of sealed construction, 24V coil control, chassis mounting, and high-current stud termination. The final design should be validated with actual load current, duty cycle, cable sizing, thermal rise, fuse coordination, and operating environment.

Selection Guide

Before selecting MX15CE, confirm that the circuit is within the 12-48VDC switching range and 500A current class. Review continuous current, peak current, inrush current, load type, switching frequency, ambient temperature, and expected service life. Motor loads and inverter inputs can create high inrush or transient stress, so the DC Power Contactor should be evaluated in the complete system.

The coil supply should be a stable 24VDC source. If the equipment uses 12VDC control power, an MX15 variant with a 12V coil may be more suitable. If the system current is closer to 400A, MX14BA or another MX14 model may be enough. If the current path requires 600A, a larger MX or GX configuration should be reviewed.

Mechanical design should include stud terminal clearance, cable bend radius, mounting orientation, vibration exposure, enclosure sealing, and service access. The contactor should be paired with proper fusing, conductor sizing, and thermal management for the final application.

FAQ

What is MX15CE used for?

MX15CE is used for high-current low-voltage DC switching in industrial power systems, utility vehicles, marine panels, battery systems, and heavy auxiliary circuits.

Is MX15CE a DC Power Contactor?

Yes. MX15CE is a Sensata Gigavac MX15 series DC Power Contactor with 500A current rating and a 12-48VDC switching range.

What coil voltage does MX15CE use?

MX15CE uses a 24VDC coil. DigiKey data lists approximately 97mA coil current and 2.3W coil power.

What termination style does MX15CE use?

MX15CE uses stud terminals and chassis mounting, making it suitable for direct high-current cable or busbar connections.

How is MX15CE different from MX14BA?

MX15CE is a 500A MX15 contactor with a 24VDC coil, while MX14BA is a 400A MX14 contactor with a 12VDC coil. Both are low-voltage DC Power Contactor options for 12-48VDC systems.

Conclusion

MX15CE is a 500A 12-48VDC DC Power Contactor for low-voltage industrial power systems, battery equipment, marine panels, utility vehicles, and heavy auxiliary circuits. With its Sensata Gigavac MX15 sealed construction, 24VDC coil, SPST-NO contact form, stud terminals, chassis mounting, and high-current rating, it is a practical choice for OEM designs that need reliable low-voltage DC switching with strong current capacity.