Frame Size Is Not the Rating
The most common misunderstanding in contactor procurement is treating the frame number as a current rating. DILM9 is a frame size, not 9 amps of usable capacity. The usable capacity depends on the AC rating, the number of poles, the ambient temperature, the mounting arrangement and the number of units on the same panel.
That distinction matters commercially because a buyer who orders by frame number alone will either over-specify and lose margin, or under-specify and generate returns.
The DILM Frame Range and Typical Use
| Frame | Rated current | Typical application |
|---|---|---|
| DILM7 | 7A frame | Small auxiliary and control loads |
| DILM9 | 9A frame | Small motor control, lighting circuits |
| DILM12 | 12A frame | Between 9A and 17A; motor control |
| DILM17 | 17A frame | General panel builders, motor control |
| DILM25 | 25A frame | Heating load switching, general motor control |
| DILM32 | 32A frame | Mid-range three-phase loads |
| DILM40 / DILM50 | 40A / 50A frames | Pump and motor starters |
| DILM65 | 65A frame | Heavy motor control |
| DILM95 | 95A frame | Heavy industrial motor control |
The Four Numbers That Decide the Frame
- Load current. The motor full-load current or the resistive load current, in amps.
- AC rating basis. AC-3 for squirrel-cage motors, AC-1 for resistive or capacitive loads. They are not the same figure, and using AC-1 where AC-3 applies is a common sizing error.
- Ambient temperature and altitude. Both derate the unit, and both are frequently ignored in a quote that was prepared quickly.
- Auxiliary contact count. Contact blocks are add-on SKUs, not part of the base frame.
If the specification says “25A contactor”, ask whether it means a 25A frame, a 25A AC-1 rating, or a 25A AC-3 rating. Those are three different questions and they produce three different answers.
What to Send for a Written Recommendation
A photo of the incumbent contactor and its ordering code. We reply with the matching frame, a written specification sheet, and a compatibility statement naming exactly which parameters match and which differ. We will not quote a substitution where the rating, the coil voltage, or the contact count does not line up — a near-match in a control panel is a commissioning failure.
Request a Quotation — Eaton DILM Frame Sizing
Send the incumbent model and its ordering code. We reply with the matching frame, a written specification sheet, EXW price and lead time. MOQ 100 pcs per SKU.
Send Inquiry on WhatsAppEmail: Joanna@rfmando.com · MOQ 100 pcs per SKU · 1 free sample per SKU ($30 DHL, buyer pays) · Lead time 7-15 days · T/T 30/70 · EXW Xiamen
Compatibility and IP Position
Eaton and DILM are trademarks of Eaton Corporation plc. Our compatible contactors are independently engineered replacements using our own design and our own tooling, matched to the published frame size, current rating, terminal layout and coil options of the DILM family. We are not an authorised Eaton distributor, we do not apply Eaton branding to our goods, and no Eaton trademark or patent is reproduced on our product. Where a project specification requires an authorised-channel part, that part must come from Eaton.
Catalogue references for the specification above: RF Mando compatible DILM32-XTEE11 (RAC130) contactor and RF Mando compatible DILM32-XTED11-1 (RAC240) contactor. All are MOQ 100 pcs per SKU, 7-15 day lead time, one free sample per SKU, and supplied on our own PCBA and housing tooling with AQL 5% inspection available.
Where to Order
- Eaton DILM Contactors — DILM7 through DILM95 frames
- Eaton DILM Coils — 24V / 42V / 48V / 110V / 220V / 230V / 400V / 500V / 600V
- Eaton DILM Auxiliary Contacts — 1NO / 1NC add-on blocks
- Eaton DILM Contactor — complete catalogue and cross-reference
Terms
MOQ 100 pcs per SKU. One free sample per SKU ($30 DHL, buyer pays). Lead time 7-15 days. Payment T/T 30/70. Prices EXW Xiamen. 100% functional test on every unit; a third-party QC report at AQL 5% is available on request. CE-RED, RoHS and FCC Part 15 documentation; RCM available.