Cost reduced synchronized-switching contactor

A method of operating a synchronized switching of movable contacts by a contactor for a three phase load, comprising the steps of:

• a) monitoring a voltage waveform of incoming power without monitoring a current waveform of incoming power;
• b) determining the incoming power voltage frequency and the incoming power period of a voltage half cycle;
• c) determining a voltage zero crossing event for at least one phase of the incoming power;
• d) determining a Contactor Operation Time,
• e) determining an Operational Delay for synchronizing contact operation with a zero crossing of the incoming power (in order to minimize arcing of the contacts), by:
• i. determining a number of zero crossings on the AC power waveform equal to a period of time longer than the contactor operation time,
• ii. subtracting the Contactor Operation Time from the number of zero crossing half cycles;
• and
• iii. storing the result as the Operational Delay,
• f) receiving a Coil operation Request for the contactor,
• g) then detecting a zero crossing event (for a chosen phase?) of the incoming power after receiving the Coil operation Request signal;
• and
• h) waiting the Operational Delay time after the zero crossing detection to issue a Coil operation Command to the contactor coil.