What you're looking at
The Siemens 3RT2036-1AL24-ZX95 is a SIRIUS power contactor in the size S2 frame. It's rated to switch motor loads at 52 A continuous in AC-3 duty at 480 V — that's the number that matters for picking the right motor starter. The coil pulls 230 V at 50 Hz and draws 0.36 A holding current (0.39 A at 60 Hz). Screw-type terminals on the coil and main contacts, so no special tooling needed for a panel rebuild.
Panel fit and clearances
This contactor measures 55 mm wide by 114 mm tall by 174 mm deep. It snaps onto a 35 mm DIN rail per EN 60715 — screw and snap-on mounting both work. You need 10 mm clearance above, below, and in front, and only 6 mm on the sides, so it packs tight in a crowded enclosure. The mounting position is flexible: you can rotate it ±180° on a vertical surface, or tilt it forward or back by ±22.5°.
Ratings for the real route
The AC-3 rating at 52 A and 480 V is what governs motor switching. For lighter duty, AC-1 resistive loads can cycle up to 1 000 operations per hour, while AC-4 (plugging/inching) tops out at 250 per hour. Mechanical life is rated at 10 million operations typical. The contactor handles operating temperatures from -25 °C to +60 °C, and storage from -55 °C to +80 °C — fine for a hot panel or a cold warehouse.