Electrical contacts are a necessary part of electrical circuits. Common forms of electrical contacts are contact tips or buttons, contact rivets, electrode blocks or billets, pins or probes, solid rod stock, sockets or receptacles, strips or tapes, sheets or foils, small stampings and tapping electrodes.

Electrical contacts are available with a variety of electrode material, contact probe material and plating or coating material. Based on application requirement, electrical contact manufacturers use copper and copper alloys, tungsten carbide, gold, nickel, steel, silver and tin for manufacturing the electrical contacts.

Some important parameters you must consider before purchasing electric contacts are:

1. Electric circuit specifications: operating current and voltage
2. Required specifications of electrical contacts: material, shape and dimensions
3. Other forces acting on the electrical contacts
4. Operating environmental conditions

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Buy electrical contacts from electrical contact manufacturers

Once you understand your requirements, evaluate different electrical contacts to find one that suits your application.

I recommend: AMI DODUCO, a reputable manufacturer of industrial electrical contacts, supplies electrical contacts suitable for the electrical, electronic and automotive industries. Norstan provides solid rivet contacts for industrial, household and automobile applications. You can buy composite electrical contacts at Hogen Industries, a reputable manufacturer of tungsten alloys, copper and silver composites and products. Mi-Tech is another electrical contact manufacturer that offers electrical contacts made of composite material. Advance Carbon Products offers metal impregnated carbon contacts suitable for sliding or make-and-break applications, motor control circuits, relays and switches.

Buy electric contacts from electrical contact distributors or retailers

You can compare products from different manufacturers of electrical contacts at distributors or retailers' websites. You can also ask the electrical contact distributor or retailer for a discount if you are buying in bulk.

I recommend: Newark, a reputable distributor of electrical components, offers electrical contacts from different manufacturers. You can buy suitable electrical contacts at Industrial Equipment Recovery, a retailer of new and used electrical equipment and accessories including electrical contacts. You can also view various electrical contacts at GlobalSpec and ThomasNet.

Buy specialty or customized electrical contacts

Buy specialty or customized electrical contacts if standard contact materials don't match your requirements.

I recommend: Hoyt Corp. provides customized electrical contacts for industrial, commercial, utility, military and marine applications. Fourslide Spring and Stamping can provide you with electrical contacts of any shape and size as per your requirement. Brainin Advance Industries is another custom manufacturer of electrical contacts such as solid rivet contacts and welded button contacts. Additionally, you can also buy customized electrical contacts at Quality Components.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  For inflammable environmental conditions, select an industrial electrical contact that does not initiate an ignition.