38 A AC-3 motor switching — the rating that decides the fit
The LC1E3801U5 is rated 38 A in utilisation category AC-3 and AC-3e, which means it switches three-phase squirrel-cage motors up to that current during starting and plugging — the most demanding duty for a contactor. The same unit carries an AC-1 rating for resistive loads, but the 38 A AC-3 figure is the one that governs motor control applications. The coil is wound for 240 V AC at 50 Hz — not a 50/60 Hz universal coil. If your control voltage is 240 V but the line frequency is 60 Hz, the coil impedance changes and the pick-up/drop-out voltages shift; this part is specified for 50 Hz only.
DIN-rail or plate — panel integration flexibility
Mounts on either a standard DIN rail or a mounting plate, giving the panel builder the choice between snap-on rail assembly and screw-fixed plate mounting. The 56 mm width and 84 mm height fit a standard contactor footprint — no surprises when laying out a motor control centre. The 1NC auxiliary contact is built in, so you get a normally-closed feedback signal for status indication or interlocking without adding a separate auxiliary block. The non-overlap time between NC and NO contacts is guaranteed at 1.5 ms on both energisation and de-energisation — this matters when the contactor is used in a safety circuit where simultaneous closure of NC and NO paths must be prevented.
Active lifecycle — no phase-out to plan around
Compliance documentation covers EN/IEC 60947-4-1 (the motor-starter standard), EN/IEC 60947-5-1 (control-circuit devices), and GB/T equivalents for the Chinese market. Fire resistance is tested to 850 °C per IEC 60695-2-1, and the protective treatment meets TH (pollution degree 3) per IEC 60068-2-30 — suitable for humid, non-condensing environments.