What This Contactor Is and Where It Fits
The Siemens 3RT1036-1AL24-ZW96 is a SIRIUS power contactor in the S2 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, making it a direct fit for standard panel layouts. The contactor uses screw-type terminals for the main current circuit, accepting stranded conductors up to 2x 25 mm². Rated for 22 kW at 400 V under AC-2 duty (slip-ring motor starting) and 30 kW at 500 V, this contactor handles moderate motor loads common in conveyor, pump, and fan applications. The AC-3 rating at 400 V, though not explicitly stated in this variant's spec, is typically in the same power class for squirrel-cage motors. The S2 frame means it occupies a 55 mm wide footprint on the rail, with a depth of 164 mm — check your enclosure depth before committing the BOM line.
Key Ratings and What They Mean for Fit
The AC-2 rating of 22 kW at 400 V is the headline motor-switching figure. AC-2 covers slip-ring motors where the contactor makes and breaks under load — common in crane and hoist drives. If your load is a standard squirrel-cage motor (AC-3), this contactor is still applicable but you should confirm the AC-3 current rating from the full datasheet. The 30 kW at 500 V rating gives headroom for higher-voltage installations common in 480 V North American systems. Mechanical life is typical at 10,000,000 operations. Operating temperature range is -25 to +60 °C; storage range is -55 to +80 °C. Wire capacity is generous: solid conductors from 0.5 to 4 mm² per terminal (2x), and stranded up to 25 mm² (2x). This covers most motor feeder cables up to 6 AWG. The degree of pollution rating is 3, meaning it's suitable for industrial environments with conductive dust or intermittent condensation — no need for an additional conformal coating in most panel conditions.
Panel Integration Notes
Mounts on 35 mm DIN rail per EN 50022. Side-by-side mounting is permitted. S2 frame width is 55 mm; depth is 164 mm. Terminals are screw-type, so expect to use a Pozidriv or slotted screwdriver for termination. The solid/stranded wire ranges allow for either direct connection or ferruled ends. For the coil connections (24 V DC rated at 10 A making current), use at least 1.5 mm² stranded wire to avoid voltage drop on long runs from the PLC output card.