What this part is — and what it does on the line
The Siemens 3RK1322-1ES02-0AA3 is an AS-Interface compact direct starter in an IP65 enclosure, rated for 1.5 kW at 400 V AC-3 duty — meaning it switches a standard three-phase motor load up to that power level. The setting range of 2.8 to 4 A covers small conveyors, pumps, and indexing drives common on automotive assembly lines. Bimetal motor protection handles overloads thermally; the electromechanical contact design gives deterministic pick-up and drop-out timing, which matters when you're sequencing multiple axes against a takt clock.
Key ratings — what they mean for fit
The 50 kA short-circuit breaking capacity at 400 V (Icu) means this starter safely clears a fault up to that level without cascading upstream — critical for SCCR compliance on a panel or machine nameplate. The IP65 protection class lets it mount directly on the machine frame or in a washdown zone without a separate enclosure; the -25 to +55 °C operating range covers most factory-floor environments, though you'll want to check thermal derating if it's in a sun-loaded cabinet or next to a furnace line.
Integration and connectivity
This is a self-contained module with tab terminals for the main current circuit and a 9-pole motor outgoing feeder plus 9-pole power connection. It communicates over AS-Interface (not PROFIBUS DP), so it drops into an AS-i network segment directly — no gateway required at the device level. The built-in motor brake output simplifies wiring for vertical-axis or fast-stop applications. At 190 mm deep, 120 mm wide, and 270 mm tall, it's sized for machine-side mounting rather than a crowded DIN-rail panel.