A contactor having electromagnetically operated contacts, wherein main contacts and connections for power supply are arranged in a bottom area of the contactor and contact control means such as electric magnet and coil are arranged above the main contacts. The contactor includes a contactor enclosure being sequentially detachable in two dependent, successive steps through a locking element utilized by both.steps, such that in a first step access is provided to the contactor main contacts, and in a second step access is provided to the electric magnet and coil. The locking element is formed to engage a first and second arresting seat defined in the contactor enclosure. The arresting seats are arranged to urge the locking element into engagement with the second arresting seat as the locking element is released from engagement with the first arresting seat.

A contact element of a relay, operative for closing and breaking a power supply circuit, respectively, and comprising a contact element (5) for establishing a current path over a pair of connection means (3, 4) in the circuit closing mode, the contact element being received in a socket (10) that is arranged to be movable relative to the relay, and a spring element (22) is operative for holding the contact element in the socket such that the contact element is detachable from the socket against the action of said spring element, in a circuit breaking mode.