SIRIUS Power Contactor 3RT2038-1AV04 — 65 A AC-3, Size S2, DIN Rail
The Siemens 3RT2038-1AV04 is a SIRIUS power contactor in Size S2, rated for 65 A at 480 V in AC-3 duty — that's the motor-switching current that governs real-world conveyor, pump, and fan loads. The screw-type main and coil terminals accept up to 2x 2.5 mm² stranded or solid, so no ferrule crimping is needed for panel wiring. Mounting is screw-and-snap-on onto 35 mm DIN rail per DIN EN 60715; the mounting position allows ±180° rotation on a vertical surface and ±22.5° tilt forward/backward, which gives flexibility in tight enclosures.
What the Ratings Mean for Your Panel
The AC-3 rating of 65 A at 480 V is the figure that decides fit for a motor branch circuit — it tells you the contactor can switch a 3-phase induction motor up to that current under starting and running conditions. The mechanical life is typical 10 million operations, and the maximum switching rate at AC-3 is 500 cycles per hour, so it handles frequent start-stop applications like a conveyor or a compressor without derating. The coil draws 6 A at 24 V rated value (inrush), and the arcing time is 10–20 ms, which is standard for this frame size and helps with coordination in a panel.
Panel Fit — Dimensions and Clearances
The contactor measures 114 mm high, 55 mm wide, and 174 mm deep. The width is the critical dimension for DIN-rail spacing — at 55 mm, it occupies roughly three 18 mm module positions. Required clearances: 10 mm upward, 10 mm forward, 10 mm downward, and 6 mm at the side. Operating temperature range is -25 to +60 °C; storage range is -55 to +80 °C, so it handles unheated storage without issue.
Switching Performance and Duty Cycles
Maximum operating rates vary by duty: AC-1 (resistive) at 700 cycles/h, AC-2 (slip-ring motor) at 350 cycles/h, AC-3 (squirrel-cage motor) at 500 cycles/h, and AC-4 (plugging/inching) at 150 cycles/h. The AC-3e rating matches the AC-3 rate at 500 cycles/h. Switching time at AC is 10–18 ms. For a commissioning engineer, these numbers confirm the contactor is rated for moderate-speed cycling, not continuous high-speed switching — that's typical for a Size S2 frame.