What it is and what it does
The Siemens 3RT1015-1AK61-ZW97 is a SIRIUS power contactor in frame size S00, designed for switching motor loads in control panels. It mounts on a 35 mm DIN rail per EN 50022, either snapped on or screwed down, and uses screw-type terminals for the main circuit. Rated for AC-3 duty at 400 V, it handles a 3 kW motor; at 690 V it handles 4 kW. For AC-2 applications at 400 V the rating is also 3 kW, while AC-4 switching at 400 V is rated at 6.5 A — useful for reversing or inching duty where the load is switched under full current. The auxiliary contact block carries a single instantaneous contact rated for 10 A at 24 V, 6 A at 230 V, and derated at higher voltages: 3 A at 400 V, 0.3 A at 220 V. At 60 V it handles 2 A, at 110 V it handles 1 A.
Mounting and integration
The contactor is 45 mm wide, 57.5 mm tall, and 72 mm deep — a compact footprint for a size S00 frame. It can be mounted side-by-side without derating, and the front face carries an IP20 rating (the terminals themselves are also IP20). Ambient operating range is -25 to +60 °C, with a pollution degree of 3 (conductive pollution typical in industrial enclosures). Wiring the main circuit: the screw terminals accept solid or stranded conductors — 2x (0.5 to 1.5 mm²), 2x (0.75 to 2.5 mm²), or up to 2x (0.75 to 4 mm²). AWG equivalents are 2x (20 to 16), 2x (18 to 14), and 1x 12. For type 2 coordination (no damage to the contactor on a short circuit), use a gL/gG fuse rated at 20 A; for type 1 coordination (contactor may need replacement), the fuse can be 35 A.