What It Is and Where It Fits
The Siemens SIRIUS 3RT1016-1JB41 is a size S00 power contactor built for switching motor loads in control panels. It snaps onto a 35 mm DIN rail per EN 50022 and takes up 45 mm of panel width — tight enough for dense layouts. The 24 V DC coil pulls 2.3 W to close and holds at the same 2.3 W, with a built-in diode for surge suppression, so you don't need an external snubber across the coil.
What the Ratings Mean for Your Motor Circuit
The headline AC-3 rating at 400 V is 10 A — that's the motor-switching current this contactor handles reliably for standard squirrel-cage induction motors up to 4.5 kW at 500 V or 5.5 kW at 690 V. For resistive loads (AC-1), the maximum operating current is also 10 A. If you're switching motor loads at 400 V under AC-4 duty (plugging, inching), the rating drops to 8.5 A — the arc wears the contacts faster, so you need the lower figure for repetitive reversing. The 30 million mechanical cycles typical lifespan means this contactor outlasts most machines in the panel.
Coil and Wiring Details
Coil operates on 24 V DC nominal. The integrated diode suppresses the inductive kick when the coil de-energizes — that's standard for DC coils, but it means polarity matters: wire the positive to the A1 terminal. Screw terminals on the main circuit accept two conductors per clamp, from 0.5 mm² up to 4 mm², or AWG 20 to 14 with a single 12 AWG allowed. The auxiliary contact block adds one N.O. instantaneous contact, which is handy for feedback to a PLC input.
Environmental and Coordination
The contactor is rated IP20 on both the front and the terminals — finger-safe but not sealed against dust or moisture, so it belongs inside a panel, not out on the plant floor. Operating temperature spans -25 to +60 °C, with storage down to -55 °C. For short-circuit coordination: a Type 1 install needs a 35 A gL/gG fuse upstream; Type 2 requires a 20 A gL/gG fuse. Pollution degree 3 means it's suitable for industrial environments with conductive dust or condensation.