Abstract: A bypass contactor usable in a solid state motor starter for shunting current around a fully-conducting solid state switching device comprising an electromagnetic contactor housed in a molded insulating enclosure having a plurality of bridging contacts movable into and out of engagement with a pair of stationary contacts to provide plural parallel current paths within the contactor, the stationary contacts having rigid terminal portions projecting externally of the insulating enclosure connectable to the heat sinks of the solid state motor starter in a preferred manner to suspend the contactor above the panel, permitting other components to be mounted below the bypass contacts. Alternate embodiments have the contactor mounted to the same support as the starter power pole component assembly and electrically connected thereto by rigid preformed connectors or flexible braided straps.