What happens to contacts when a motor starter coil is de-energized?

When a motor starter coil is de-energized, the electrical current flowing through the coil is interrupted, which leads to the collapse of the magnetic field that was holding the contacts closed. This loss of magnetic force causes the contacts to return to their default position.

In this case, gravity and spring tension play crucial roles. When the coil is no longer energized, the spring mechanism within the starter acts to physically open the contacts. This design ensures that the contacts reliably return to their open state, preventing the motor from operating when it is not supposed to.

Options that suggest the contacts close or remain in an energized state do not accurately reflect the function of a motor starter, as those scenarios would not align with the operation principles of this device. The choice indicating that the contacts toggle to a neutral state is misleading; while they do return to a resting position, the mechanism at play is primarily that of gravity and spring tension working to facilitate the opening of the contacts.