What it is and what the ratings mean
The Siemens SIRIUS 3RT2036-3CL24-3MA0 is a size S2 power contactor rated for motor switching at 52 A in AC-3 duty at 480 V — that's the current it can break under the inductive load of a standard three-phase induction motor, not a resistive heater bank. For resistive loads (AC-1), the mechanical life supports up to 1,000 operations per hour; for motor starting (AC-3), 800 ops/h; and for plugging or inching (AC-4), 250 ops/h. The coil is 230 V, 50 Hz, drawing 0.36 A holding current, with spring-type terminals for the magnet coil. The contactor mounts via screw or snap-on onto a 35 mm DIN rail per DIN EN 60715, with a mounting position that allows ±180° rotation on a vertical surface and ±22.5° tilt forward/backward — useful when fitting into tight or angled panel sections. Dimensions are 55 mm wide, 114 mm high, and 178 mm deep, with clearance requirements of 10 mm upwards, 10 mm forwards, 10 mm downwards, and 6 mm at the sides. Operating temperature range is -25 to +60 °C, storage from -55 to +80 °C. The main contacts are rated for 18 A continuous (AC-1) at 400 V, with an auxiliary switch not included on this variant — the 18...1 notation indicates one normally open and one normally closed auxiliary contact block is present.