Multi-vacuum contactor control system

A vacuum contactor control system for controlling a plurality of vacuum contactors, comprising:

• a plurality of control units, wherein each control unit is associated with one of the vacuum contactors, and further comprises:
• a processor,
• a memory module storing processor executable instructions,
• at least one input terminal configured to receive a signal from a sensor monitoring operation of the associated vacuum contactor,
• at least one output terminal for providing a control signal to the associated vacuum contactor;
• and
• a first communication port configured to communicate with a dedicated network connecting the plurality of control units;
• wherein one of the control units operates as a master control unit and further comprises:
• a second communication port configured to communicate with a control network;
• wherein the instructions stored in the memory module on the master control unit are executable to coordinate control of the vacuum contactors by sending a command to the other control units and receiving the signals monitoring operation of the vacuum contactors from the other control units via the dedicated network.