A solenoid contactor arrangement facilitates soft contact between the movable and stationary contacts and provides for overtravel of an armature in a manner which ensures that good and consistent electrical contact is maintained between the movable and the stationary contacts. The movable contacts are carried on an axially reciprocable armature assembly and are afforded limited axial displacement relative thereto. The movable contacts are biased by a coil spring to a first position on the armature assembly in preparation for engagement with the stationary contacts. When that engagement occurs, the movable contacts stop, the spring yields, and further displacement of the armature assembly occurs until a stop on it firmly contacts and is stopped by a corresponding stop on the movable contacts. The spring is formed and positioned such that it does not dimensionally interfere with the firm contact between the movable contacts and the armature assembly. In the overtravel position, a predetermined small air gap is maintained between the armature and a pole piece to maximize the contact-engaging forces.
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