What it is and what it does
The Siemens 3RT1026-1AL24-ZX95 is a SIRIUS power contactor in the S0 frame size, designed for switching motor loads in industrial control panels. It mounts via screw or snap-on onto a 35 mm DIN rail per DIN EN 50022, so it integrates directly into a standard panel layout. Its headline ratings are 11 kW at 500 V and 11 kW at 690 V, with an AC-4 switching current of 15.5 A at 400 V for demanding reversing or inching duty. The AC-2 rating at 400 V also carries 11 kW, covering slip-ring motor starts. For resistive loads (AC-12), the maximum operating current is 10 A.
Mounting and integration
The 3RT1026-1AL24-ZX95 occupies a 45 mm wide footprint on the DIN rail, with a height of 85 mm and a depth of 140 mm. Side-by-side mounting is permitted, which means multiple contactors can be ganged without extra spacing — useful for compact motor control centers. Wiring the main circuit uses screw-type terminals accepting 2x (0.5 to 1.5 mm²), 2x (0.75 to 2.5 mm²), or max 2x (0.75 to 4 mm²) solid conductors. For stranded wire, it accepts 2x (1 to 2.5 mm²), 2x (2.5 to 6 mm²), or max 2x 10 mm². AWG equivalents are 2x (16 to 12), 2x (14 to 10), and 1x 8. The enclosure is rated IP20 on the front and IP00 at the terminals, meaning the contactor body protects against finger contact but the wiring zone requires the panel enclosure to provide the environmental seal.
Coordination and protection
For Type 2 coordination (no damage to the contactor under short circuit), the required upstream fuse is gL/gG rated at 35 A. For Type 1 coordination (contactor may need replacement after fault), a 100 A gL/gG fuse is used. This lets the panel designer match protection to the uptime requirements of the line. The contactor has two instantaneous auxiliary contacts, which can be wired for status feedback or interlocking without adding a separate auxiliary contact block.