What the ratings mean for fit
The 3RT1456-2XB46-0LA2: The 24 V DC coil is the main selection gate — if your control voltage is 24 VDC, this contactor drops right in. Coil pickup and dropout characteristics are standard for a DC-operated SIRIUS frame, so expect clean pull-in even with long control wiring runs. Size S6 means this contactor handles the higher current ranges in the SIRIUS family — it's the frame size you'd spec for motor loads above what the S0–S3 frames carry. The 172 x 120 x 170 mm envelope (height x width x depth) tells you the panel cutout and clearance needed. Mounting is screw fixing, with the contactor rotatable ±90° on a vertical surface and tiltable ±22.5° front-to-back. That flexibility helps when you're laying out a dense panel and need to orient the contactor to clear busbars or duct.
Where it's used
This contactor belongs in motor control centers and distribution panels, switching three-phase induction motors, resistive loads, or capacitor banks. The SIRIUS series is Siemens' workhorse line for standard industrial switching up to the S6 frame rating.
Sourcing and lifecycle
The lifecycle stage is marked as current — meaning Siemens still manufactures and supports this order code. No last-time-buy or phase-out notice applies. For a procurement planner, that means no urgent BOM freeze action needed; you can order this part against an RFQ through standard distribution.