SIRIUS Power Contactor, Size S3 — 55 kW at 500 V AC-3
The Siemens 3RT1046-1AP60-0UA0 is a SIRIUS power contactor in the S3 frame size, rated for 55 kW at 500 V in AC-3 duty — that is the motor-switching current that governs the real load it can handle, not the resistive AC-1 figure. It switches motor loads up to that power on a 500 V line, and also carries a 25.4 kW rating at 690 V, so it covers 400 V and 690 V industrial networks without derating the frame. The contactor mounts on 35 mm or 75 mm DIN rail via screw and snap-on fastening, and supports side-by-side mounting for dense panel layouts. The main circuit uses screw-type terminals accepting stranded conductors up to 50 mm² and solid wire in multiple ranges (2x 0.5–1.5 mm², 2x 0.75–2.5 mm², max 2x 0.75–4 mm²). Pollution degree 3 means it is rated for industrial environments with conductive pollution — standard for control panels near machinery. Mechanical life is rated at 10 million operating cycles typical. Electrical switching rates vary by duty: 900 cycles/hour at AC-1 (resistive), 850 at AC-3 (motor), 350 at AC-2 (slip-ring motor), and 250 at AC-4 (plugging/inching). The arcing time sits at 10–15 ms, and the closing time at AC is 10–25 ms — figures that matter for coordination with upstream protection.
Integration — Panel and Wiring
Dimensions are 146 mm height, 70 mm width, 139 mm depth — the S3 footprint fits standard 70 mm wide DIN-rail slots. The IP20 rating on the front (with cover or box terminal) means finger-safe protection from the panel front; the terminal area itself is IP00, so live parts are exposed when the panel door is open — standard for industrial contactors. Operating temperature range is -25 to +60 °C, with storage from -55 to +80 °C. The auxiliary contact block is rated for switching at various control voltages: 10 A at 24 V, 6 A at 230 V, 3 A at 400 V, 2 A at 60 V, 1 A at 110 V, and 0.3 A at 220 V. These are the make/break capacities for the control circuit — useful when selecting the contactor for PLC output or relay interface.