The Siemens 3RA6500-2EB42 is a SIRIUS compact reversing starter designed for continuous operation per IEC 60947-6-2. The 53 kA short-circuit rating at 400 V means this starter coordinates with upstream protection to survive a fault without welding contacts — a figure that simplifies SCCR compliance for the panel builder.
Trip class and overload protection — adjustable Class 10 or 20
The overload relay is field-adjustable between Class 10 and Class 20 trip curves. Class 10 protects motors with short acceleration times (conveyors, pumps), while Class 20 handles higher-inertia loads like fans or centrifuges — one part covers both without swapping a heater element. Rated 32 A at 400 V AC-3, the starter also carries horsepower ratings of 7.5 hp at 200/208 V, 10 hp at 220/230 V, and 20 hp at 460/480 V — covering common North American voltage tiers. Continuous operation duty (IEC 60947-6-2) means the starter is thermally rated for sustained motor running, not just intermittent starting.
IO-Link integration and diagnostics — COM2, 5 LEDs
This starter speaks IO-Link at COM2 (38.4 kBaud), feeding back device status, current draw, and trip history to the controller. Five onboard LEDs give local status without opening the panel door — useful for the commissioning engineer walking a line. The 24 V DC control supply is isolated from the main circuit. Power dissipation is 3.4 W at DC maximum and 5.4 W in hot AC operating state — enough heat to consider spacing in a dense enclosure, but manageable in a ventilated panel.
Mounting and environmental — DIN rail, shock, and temperature range
Dimensions are 90 mm wide, 191 mm high, 165 mm deep, fitting a standard 5-module footprint. Operates from -20 to +60 °C and survives storage and transport from -55 to +80 °C. Shock tested to 6 g for 10 ms across all axes, and vibration rated to 20 m/s² at 5.8–500 Hz — suitable for machine-mounted applications near rotating equipment. Pollution degree 3 means it tolerates conductive dust and occasional condensation — typical for industrial control panels not hermetically sealed.