Reliable Cutler Hammer 6-22-2 Replacement Options for Aging Electrical Systems

The Cutler-Hammer 6-22-2 is a 3-pole contact kit for NEMA size 0 Citation Series motor starters and contactors. BRAH Electric makes a direct substitute, part number B6-22-2, with a catalogue rating of 18A at 600V maximum. The kit is a complete assembly: the contacts for all three poles plus the mounting screws and hardware.

Cutler-Hammer made a different kit for each starter size and each pole count, so the right replacement depends on reading the starter correctly. This guide gives the details of the 6-22-2, lists the kits next to it in the same series, and shows which checks keep you from ordering the wrong one.

Cutler-Hammer 6-22-2 at a glance

• Part type: contact kit (replacement main contacts for a motor starter or contactor).
• Fits: Cutler-Hammer Citation Series A1, model types A10 to A81 and C10 to C50, NEMA size 0.
• Poles: 3.
• Catalogue rating: 18A, 600V maximum.
• BRAH part number: B6-22-2. The catalogue also cross-references the number C22LC to this kit.
• The Cutler-Hammer number is marked obsolete in the BRAH catalogue.
• Browse all motor control contact kits.

What the 6-22-2 contact kit is and where it fits

The main contacts are the parts of a starter that make and break the motor current. Each pole has a moving contact on the armature and stationary contacts fixed in the base. Every time the starter opens under load, an arc burns a little metal off the contact faces, so the contacts are a wearing part and are sold as a kit.

The 6-22-2 is the kit for 3-pole, size 0 starters in the Citation Series A1 family. The catalogue record names NEMA size 0 starters and contactors, model types A10 to A81 and C10 to C50. Fitting a new kit restores the contacts. The frame, coil and overload relay of the starter stay in place.

The Citation Series is an older Cutler-Hammer line, and many of these starters are still in service. A starter with a sound frame and coil does not need to be replaced because its contacts are worn.

Citation Series A1 contact kits BRAH lists

The table lists the 16 BRAH contact kits for the Citation Series A1 family, with the 6-22-2 in the second row. The BRAH part number is the Cutler-Hammer number with a B in front. Every kit is listed at 600V maximum.

Within this family the suffix follows the pole count: no suffix is the 2-pole kit, -2 is the 3-pole kit, -3 is the 4-pole kit and -4 is the 5-pole kit. So the 6-22 is the 2-pole kit for a size 0 starter and the 6-22-3 is the 4-pole kit. The amperage column is the catalogue value. Match the kit to the starter nameplate and do not treat the figure as a motor rating for your application.

Citation Series B1 and Freedom Series kits

Cutler-Hammer used different contact kits in its other starter lines, even where the NEMA size is the same. A size 2, 3-pole starter takes a 6-24-2 in the Citation A1 family, a 6-34-2 in the Citation B1 family and a 6-65-8 in the Freedom Series. These kits are separate parts. Identify the starter family before choosing a number.

The Citation B1 kits name model types B10, B11, B50, B51 and B52. The Freedom Series kits name model types AN16, AN30, AN40, AN70, AN80, AN800, CN15, CN35 and CN55. Starter sizes shown as IEC are the catalogue values for those kits. For anything not in the tables, call (855) 355-2724 with the part number.

When to replace the contacts in a size 0 starter

Discolored contact faces are normal and are not a reason to change a kit. Replace the contacts when the contact material is worn thin, when the faces are deeply pitted or burnt, when a contact has welded, or when one pole is clearly worse than the others. Inspect the contacts after the starter has cleared a short circuit.

Change all poles together. The kit holds the contacts for the whole starter, and mixing new and worn contacts leaves the poles closing unevenly. The signs of wear are covered in more detail in the guide on how to tell when you need new contact kits.

Before you order: what to check

• The starter family. Read the model type from the starter nameplate. The 6-22-2 is for Citation Series A1 types A10 to A81 and C10 to C50.
• The NEMA size. The 6-22-2 is the size 0 kit. A size 1 starter in the same family takes the 6-23-2.
• The number of poles. Count the power poles on the starter. A 2-pole starter takes the 6-22 and a 4-pole starter takes the 6-22-3.
• The number on the old kit or parts list. If the starter door or manual lists the renewal parts, use that number. It is the surest check.
• The condition of the rest of the starter. Look at the coil, the arc cover and the terminals while the starter is open. New contacts will not cure a damaged coil or a loose connection.

BRAH Electric designs its parts in-house and tests them at its Carlsbad, California facility. It is an aftermarket manufacturer and is not an authorized distributor for Cutler-Hammer or Eaton. Contact kits carry a 6-month warranty from the date of invoice. In-stock orders placed before 3:00 PM Pacific ship the same business day. To confirm a cross-reference, call (855) 355-2724, Monday to Friday, 6AM to 5PM Pacific.

Safety when changing starter contacts

A starter can be fed from more than one source: line power on the main terminals and a separate control supply on the coil circuit. De-energize both, apply lockout/tagout, and verify the absence of voltage before opening the starter. The work should be done by qualified personnel. After fitting the kit, check that the armature moves freely by hand and that all screws are tight before restoring power.

Cutler-Hammer 6-22-2 FAQs

What is a Cutler-Hammer 6-22-2?

It is a 3-pole contact kit for NEMA size 0 Cutler-Hammer Citation Series A1 motor starters and contactors. It contains the replacement contacts and the mounting screws and hardware.

What is the BRAH replacement for the 6-22-2?

B6-22-2. It is listed as a direct substitute for the Cutler-Hammer 6-22-2, with a catalogue rating of 18A at 600V maximum.

Is the C22LC the same kit as the 6-22-2?

The BRAH catalogue cross-references both numbers, 6-22-2 and C22LC, to the B6-22-2. If your parts list shows C22LC, confirm the starter family, size and pole count against the table above before ordering.

What is the difference between the 6-22, 6-22-2 and 6-22-3?

The pole count. All three are size 0 kits for the Citation Series A1 family, listed at 18A. The 6-22 is 2-pole, the 6-22-2 is 3-pole and the 6-22-3 is 4-pole.

Can I use a 6-22-2 in a Freedom Series starter?

No. The 6-22-2 is listed for Citation Series A1 starters. Freedom Series starters use their own kits, such as the 6-65-2 for size 1.

How long is the warranty on a contact kit?

Contact kits carry a 6-month warranty from the date of invoice.

References

• IEC 60947-4-1, Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear: electromechanical contactors and motor-starters. The international standard for contactors and motor starters.
• NFPA 70B, Standard for Electrical Equipment Maintenance.
• OSHA 29 CFR 1910.147, The control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout).
• NFPA 70E, Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace.