I bought a second hand woodworking lathe some months ago which came
with an ABB contactor switch (type A12-30-10). I didn't consider it
necessary to have a contactor and an 2kw electronic controller for the
lathe, so re-directed the starter for driving my circular saw. This
had a contactor in a home made box so there was an attraction in
having a pukka device.

I'd checked the new contactor's operation sometime back and was a bit
suspicious that it was a bit sluggish in pulling in. This is now
confirmed when connected to the 2kw motor for the saw. Sometimes it
will operate OK and the saw starts up fine, otherwise there is a lot
of chattering, sparking, chuntering from the saw motor and nothing
happens.

I jury rigged the original contactor to see if it is something to do
with the change of site and it operates fine - pulls in perfectly each
time.

This is a 240v single phase system.

Anyone any ideas before I go the the bother of fitting the old, and
operating, contactor into the 'new' starter box, and dumping the 'new'
one.

Thanks
Rob