What this contactor is and what it does
The Siemens 3RT1046-1BE40 is a SIRIUS power contactor in size S3, designed for switching motor loads and resistive loads in industrial control panels. It carries an AC-4 rating of 80 A at 400 V, meaning it handles the severe inrush of reversing, plugging, or inching duty without derating. The AC-2 rating of 45 kW at 400 V covers slip-ring motor starting. Screw-type terminals on the main circuit accept stranded conductors up to 2x (10...50 mm²) and solid conductors in multiple ranges (0.5...4 mm²).
Mounting and integration
Mounts via screw or snap-on onto 35 mm or 75 mm standard mounting rail. Dimensions: 70 mm wide, 146 mm high, 152 mm deep — fits a standard panel footprint. Side-by-side mounting is permitted, so multiple contactors can be ganged without spacing. IP20 on the front with cover or box terminal; the terminal itself is IP00, so the panel enclosure provides the overall ingress protection. Pollution degree 3 suits industrial environments with conductive pollution.