What this contactor is and what it does
The Siemens 3RT1026-1AL24-ZW96 is a SIRIUS power contactor in the S0 frame size, rated for switching three-phase motor loads up to 11 kW at 690 V AC-3 (cites:,). The AC-3 rating is the one that matters for standard squirrel-cage motor starting — it covers breaking the motor at full load without welding the contacts. For more demanding applications like slip-ring motors or reversing duty, the AC-2 rating at 400 V is also 11 kW (cites:). If you need to switch the motor inching or plugging (AC-4), the current limit is 15.5 A at 400 V (cites:). It mounts on a 35 mm DIN rail per DIN EN 50022, either snapped on or screwed, and the 45 mm width means it fits in a standard 4-module slot (cites:,). The front is IP20, so it's touch-safe in an enclosure; the terminals are IP00, meaning the wiring compartment needs to be inside the panel (cites:,). Operating temperature range is -25 to +60 °C, which covers most indoor industrial environments (cites:).
Wiring and coordination
Main power terminals are screw-type, accepting solid conductors from 2x (0.5 to 1.5 mm²) up to 2x (0.75 to 4 mm²), and stranded from 2x (1 to 2.5 mm²) up to 2x 10 mm² (cites:,). For AWG, that's 2x (16 to 12) solid and 2x (14 to 10) stranded, with a single 8 AWG max (cites:). The auxiliary contact block is rated for 10 A at 24 V, 6 A at 230 V, and 3 A at 400 V (cites:,). For short-circuit protection, Type 2 coordination (no damage to the contactor) requires a gL/gG fuse rated 35 A (cites:). Type 1 coordination (contactor may need replacement) allows up to 100 A gL/gG (cites:). If you're coordinating with a motor starter or soft starter, the 35 A fuse is the one to plan for in the bill of materials.