What it is and what it does
The Siemens 3RT1016-2DB44-ZW96 is a SIRIUS power contactor in the S00 frame size, designed for switching motor loads and resistive loads in control panels. It is rated for 4.5 kW at 500 V and 5.5 kW at 690 V in AC-3 duty, which covers the majority of three-phase induction motor applications up to that power class. The coil is 24 VDC, pulling 3.3 W both during pickup and holding — no inrush spike to size your control transformer around.
Mounting and wiring
Mounts via screw or snap-on onto 35 mm DIN rail per DIN EN 50022, with a 45 mm width that fits the standard S00 footprint. Spring-loaded terminals on the main circuit accept 2x (0.25 to 2.5 mm²) solid or stranded copper, or 2x (24 to 14 AWG). Side-by-side mounting is allowed — no derating required for zero-gap spacing — but keep 6 mm clearance to grounded metal on the front and sides for the IP20 finger-safe enclosure.
Ratings and what they mean for your circuit
The AC-3 rating (4.5 kW at 500 V, 5.5 kW at 690 V) is the one that governs motor switching — it tells you the contactor can break the motor's locked-rotor current without welding. For resistive loads (AC-1), the maximum operating current is 10 A (AC-12). AC-4 duty at 400 V is rated at 8.5 A, covering plugging and inching applications where the contactor interrupts full-load current. The mechanical life is 30 million operations, so this contactor will outlast the panel in most cyclic applications.
Coordination and protection
Built-in varistor surge suppression across the coil — no external snubber needed for the 24 VDC circuit. For short-circuit protection, the manufacturer specifies a gL/gG fuse: 20 A for Type 2 coordination (no damage to the contactor), 35 A for Type 1 (contactor may need replacement after a fault). Pollution degree 3 rating means it's suited for industrial environments with conductive dust or condensation.