The Schneider Electric LC1E3810M6 is a 3-pole contactor from the Easy TeSys Control range, rated for 38 A in AC-3 and AC-3e duty categories up to 440 V. That means it's sized to switch three-phase motor loads — compressors, pumps, conveyors — right up to that current. The 220 V AC 60 Hz coil pulls in reliably, and the built-in 1 NO auxiliary contact gives you a feedback or interlock signal without adding a separate block.
The 56 mm width and 84 mm height mean it fits a standard 4-module footprint on the rail — no surprises when you're laying out a panel. Depth at 86 mm leaves room for wiring gutters without jamming the gland plate. Operating altitude goes to 3000 m without derating, so it's fine for high-altitude installations like mine sites or mountain-top equipment.
It also carries the EN/IEC 60335-1 Clause 30.2 glow-wire test and EN/IEC 60335-2-40 Annex JJ for heat pump applications, so it's cleared for appliance and HVAC panels.
A 38 A contactor on 400 V three-phase can typically handle a 15–18.5 kW motor, depending on the motor's full-load current and duty cycle. The AC-3e rating adds an 'enhanced' category for higher electrical endurance on certain motor starts — it's a bonus, not a restriction. If you're switching resistive loads (heaters, ovens), the AC-1 rating is higher, but the AC-3 number is the one that governs for inductive motor loads. Vibration tolerance is 1.5 Gn open and 3 Gn closed, with shock at 10 Gn for 11 ms. That's enough for most industrial machinery — conveyors, compressors, machine tools. For the control panel, keep ambient below 55 °C for continuous operation.