What it is and what it does
The Siemens 3RT1017-1HB42-ZW96 is a SIRIUS power contactor in the compact S00 frame, designed for switching motor loads and resistive loads in control panels. It carries a 24 VDC coil with a holding power of 2.3 W, so the coil driver doesn't need to supply much current once the contactor is pulled in — a standard PLC output can handle it. The contactor is rated for 5.5 kW at 400 V in AC-2 duty (slip-ring motor starting) and 5.5 kW at 690 V, and 8.5 A in AC-4 duty (plugging/inching) at 400 V, which tells you the real-world motor-switching capability, not just a resistive rating.
Mounting and integration
Mounts via screw or snap-on onto 35 mm DIN rail per EN 50022. The S00 footprint is 45 mm wide, 57.5 mm high, 72 mm deep — it fits the standard DIN-rail slot without crowding adjacent devices. Side-by-side mounting is allowed with 6 mm clearance at the side; no extra gap needed between units on the rail, which keeps panel layouts tight. Screw-type terminals on the main circuit accept 2x (0.5 to 1.5 mm²), 2x (0.75 to 2.5 mm²), or max 2x (0.75 to 4 mm²) solid/stranded, or AWG equivalents 2x (20–16), 2x (18–14), 1x 12. Pollution degree 3 rating means it's suited for industrial environments with conductive dust or occasional condensation — typical for an unsealed panel.
Coordination and protection
For Type 2 coordination (no damage to the contactor under short circuit), the required upstream fuse is gL/gG 20 A. For Type 1 coordination (contactor may need replacement after fault), use gL/gG 35 A. The mechanical life is rated at 30,000,000 operating cycles — that's the contactor body, not the contacts under load, but it gives a sense of the base durability. Operating temperature range is -25 to +60 °C, with a maximum altitude of 2,000 m without derating.