Panel fit and ratings
The Siemens 3RT2036-3AL16 is a SIRIUS power contactor in size S2, rated 52 A at 480 V — the figure that governs its motor-switching capacity in North American 480 V three-phase panels. Spring-type terminals accept 2x (0.5... 2.5 mm²) solid or stranded, which saves the panel builder a screwdriver pass per wire. Mounting is screw and snap-on onto 35 mm DIN rail per DIN EN 60715, with a 75 mm width that occupies three standard 18 mm module spaces on the rail. Operating temperature range is -25... +60 °C, storage -55... +80 °C. The mounting position allows +/-180° rotation on a vertical surface and can be tilted forward/backward by +/- 22.5°, which helps when the gland plate or busbar layout forces an unconventional orientation.
Switching duty and mechanical life
Maximum operating cycles per hour: 1 000 at AC-1 (resistive), 800 at AC-3 and AC-3e (standard motor starting), 600 at AC-2 (slip-ring motor), and 250 at AC-4 (plugging/inching). The mechanical life is rated at 10 000 000 operations typical. Arcing time runs 10... 20 ms, with an AC operate time of 10... 18 ms.