What it is and where it fits
The Siemens 3RT2038-1NF34 is a SIRIUS power contactor, Size S2, designed for switching motor loads in control panels. It mounts via screw and snap-on onto 35 mm DIN rail per DIN EN 60715, making it a direct fit for standard industrial enclosures. The coil is rated 83-155 V and draws 2 VA at both 50 and 60 Hz, with an inrush peak of 1.5 A. Main contacts are screw-type terminals, accepting 2x (0.5 to 1.5 mm²) solid or stranded and 2x (0.75 to 2.5 mm²).
Key ratings and what they mean for your application
The contactor is rated for AC-3 duty up to 500 operating cycles per hour, which is the standard for squirrel-cage motor switching — so it handles frequent starts and stops on conveyors, pumps, and fans without overheating. For resistive loads (AC-1), the maximum is 700 ops/h. The AC-4 rating of 150 ops/h covers plugging and inching duty, typical for cranes or reversing drives. Mechanical life is 10 million operations typical, giving a long service interval for a critical spare. Operating temperature range is -25 to +60 °C, with storage from -55 to +80 °C. The mounting position allows +/-180° rotation on a vertical surface and +/-22.5° tilt forward/backward, so it fits tight layouts without derating. Dimensions are 114 mm high, 55 mm wide, 174 mm deep — the depth is the dimension that extends into the panel, so allow clearance for wiring and arc space.
Integration notes
No auxiliary switch is fitted on this variant. Order a separate auxiliary contact block for feedback contacts.