[JTW37]

Okay, talked to one of the Bosses that make these, so here's the best I can tell you on it's operation.

there are two of the contact cylinders put together to do what we need for ovens. Like I said earlier, my Wife makes items for it. She finishes up electric coils that are incorporated into each cylinder. These coils are energized to make the mercury contact work. In the middle of the coil is a hollow cylinder, into which to mercury is placed and then there is a metal rod, that is placed in a glass type of Washer (for the lack of a better word) and this is placed into the metal cylinder and welded shut. Then the coils are placed into a metal covering into which the hollow cylinder is placed. Then the 240v terminals are added and the whole thing is coated with an Epoxy and baked. Then they place however many they need together (up to five I think) and then the terminals are connected with the bands you see.

Now that that is out of the way, what happens is, the current that is put to them energizes and forces the mercury to the far end and completes the circuit. It's like trying to stick two like magnets together, that pushes the mercury. With the rod still in the mercury, it makes a connection and WHA-LA, you got power. Pretty simple if you know how it works. The only thing that would ever go wrong with these are the coils. The same contactor is used in Pizza Hut ovens.

If you want anymore info on these let me know. I am finding out what the cost is for a double like mine. If interested.