What the ratings mean for the panel
The Siemens 3RT1046-1AS00 is a SIRIUS power contactor in Size S3, designed to switch motor loads in control panels. The 45 kW AC-2 at 400 V rating tells you it handles wound-rotor motors or slip-ring applications where the load current stays near the motor rating during acceleration — a common fit for crane or conveyor drives. The 80 A AC-4 at 400 V rating covers plugging and inching duty, where the contactor makes and breaks stalled-rotor current; that's the figure to size against if your line does frequent reversing or jogging. Screw-type terminals on the main circuit accept stranded conductors up to 2x 50 mm² and solid up to 2x 4 mm², so it lands comfortably on a 35 mm² motor cable without lug adapters. The IP20 front with cover or box terminal means the panel builder can leave the front exposed inside a locked enclosure — no extra shrouding needed. Mounting is screw and snap-on onto 35 mm or 75 mm standard rail, so it drops into the same DIN footprint as the older SIRIUS 3RT1 generation. No need to gut the whole line — meet it where it is.
Lifecycle and sourcing reality
The part carries a substance prohibitance date of 05/01/2012, which aligns with RoHS compliance. Pollution degree 3 means it's rated for industrial environments with conductive pollution — typical for control panels in manufacturing plants.
Integration notes
Dimensions are 146 mm high, 70 mm wide, 139 mm deep. The 70 mm width is a standard Size S3 envelope; side-by-side mounting is permitted, so you can gang multiple contactors on the same rail without derating for thermal crowding. Operating temperature range is -25 to +60 °C, storage from -55 to +80 °C. The mechanical life is 10,000,000 operations typical. Maximum switching frequency at AC-3 is 850 cycles per hour, which is adequate for most conveyor and pump cycling.