It carries a 52 A rating at both 480 V and 600 V AC, which means it can handle a 3-phase induction motor up to roughly 30 hp at 480 V — a common fit for medium conveyors, pumps, and compressors in a 480 V distribution system.
The 52 A rating at 480 V and 600 V is the headline number for this contactor — it defines the maximum continuous current the main poles can carry in AC-1 duty (resistive loads) or AC-3 duty (starting and running motors). For motor switching, the AC-3 rating is the one that governs real use: at 480 V, 52 A covers a 30 hp NEMA motor or a 22 kW IEC motor, leaving headroom for inrush without nuisance tripping. The contactor's mechanical life is 100,000 operations typical, and its electrical switching frequency tops out at 800 cycles per hour under AC-3e conditions — enough for frequent start-stop cycles on a conveyor or batch mixer. Physical fit matters for panel layout. The 3RT2036-1DB40-0TA0 measures 55 mm wide, 114 mm tall, and 130 mm deep. The 55 mm width fits a standard 9-module DIN rail slot, and the 130 mm depth clears most 200 mm deep enclosures. Clearance requirements are tight: 10 mm upward, 10 mm forward, 10 mm downward, and only 6 mm to the side — so you can pack contactors close together without derating, as long as ambient stays within the -25 to +50 °C operating range. That dropout window is fast enough for safety circuits that need to clear the load within a cycle or two. The auxiliary switch (1 NO + 1 NC) is built in, so you can wire a feedback signal to the PLC without an extra add-on block.