Panel fit and switching duty
The 3RT1016-2GG21: Spring-loaded terminals on the main current circuit accept 2x (0.25 to 2.5 mm²) solid or stranded wire, or 2x (24 to 14 AWG). That's a clean push-in connection for panel builders — no screw torque to verify, no loose strands. Rated for AC-2 duty at 4 kW on 400 V (slip-ring motor starting) and AC-4 at 8.5 A on 400 V (plugging/inching). For general resistive loads (AC-1), it handles 10 A at 230 V. The 50 Hz coil holds at 0.8 to 1.1 x rated voltage; 60 Hz coil holds at 0.85 to 1.1 x rated voltage. Mechanical endurance is listed at 30 million cycles typical — that's a long service life for conveyor or pump cycling applications. Short-circuit protection requires a gL/gG fuse rated 20 A per type of coordination 2.
Environmental and mounting constraints
Operating temperature spans -25 to +60 °C, with pollution degree 3 (conductive pollution typical in industrial panels). Side-by-side mounting is allowed with 6 mm clearance at the side — no derating penalty for packing contactors tight on the rail. Terminals carry IP20 finger protection; the front of the device is also IP20. Altitude rating goes to 2 000 m without derating.