A2L COMPLIANT CONTACTOR

A contactor (330), and an air conditioning system (100) incorporating the contactor (330) are provided. The contactor (330) includes a body (335) with an upper surface (335(u)), a line-side electrical terminal (331) located on one end of the body (335), a load-side electrical terminal (332) located on the other side of the body (335), a switching element (333) within the body (335), the switching element (333) coupled between the line-side electrical terminal (331) and the load-side electrical terminal (332), and a refrigerant mitigating element (334; 333(t); 336; 337) disposed on the upper surface (335(u)). The line-side electrical terminal (331) is configured to receive electrical power from an electrical grid (200). The load-side electrical terminal (332) is configured to transfer at least a portion of the electrical power to at least one component of the outdoor unit (300). The switching element (333) is configured to electrically connect the line-side electrical terminal (331) and the load-side electrical terminal (332) when activated. The refrigerant mitigating element (334; 333(t); 336; 337) may help mitigate the ignition of a refrigerant.