A-C contactors for aircraft

W. A. Barden (major, United States Army, Wright Field, Dayton, Ohio): The authors have prepared a very interesting and informative paper which thoroughly covers the work that has been accomplished to date in the development of subject equipment. The paper describes contactors using d-c-energized magnets. It is possible that a-c-actuated contactors would be preferred in order to eliminate the need for any d-c wiring in an airplane. This does not infer that there would be no d-c power used in such an airplane. Possibly a weight saving in the complete system could be realized by handling all power distribution as alternating current with suitable individual rectifying equipment built into those installations where d-c power proved to be essential.