"David Billington" wrote in message
...

What's the benefit of a low voltage contactor and safety circuit? I
have various equipment with safety circuits and they use either the
230V or 415V supply for the contactor and safety circuit.

Low voltage control confines the high voltage to the control box and
the motor, so it's less exposed to physical damage. There isn't much
if any benefit if you have only a single short run to the power switch
and the motor draws less than the switch's rating, for the cost of a
24V transformer and a larger control enclosure.

I can't remember ever seeing a contactor and low voltage controls on
consumer power tools although it's pretty much standard for industry.

The difference may be the risk of forklift accidents, since humans
can't crush conduit or puncture sheetmetal.