Which Statement Best Describes the Auxiliary Holding Contact on a NEMA Starter?

• A. It Is Indicated by A1 & A2
• B. It Is Indicated by S1 & S2
• C. It Is Connected to the Neutral Terminal
• D. It Carries Load Current

Answer: (A)

The holding auxiliary contact on a NEMA starter is driven by the same coil that energizes the main contactor, so it is identified by the coil’s terminals, A1 and A2. This labeling carries the idea that the auxiliary contact is an outward manifestation of that coil’s state—when the coil is energized, the holding contact closes to keep the circuit energized even after you release the start control. It’s part of the control circuit, not the motor’s power path, so it carries coil current rather than motor load current.

S1 & S2 would pertain to the control switch itself, not to the coil-driven holding contact. The neutral terminal isn’t part of the hold-in function, and the holding contact isn’t designed to carry the motor’s load current.