What it is and where it fits
The Siemens 3RT2046-1NE30 is a SIRIUS power contactor in size S3, designed for switching motor loads and resistive loads in industrial control panels. It mounts via screw or snap-on onto 35 mm DIN rail per DIN EN 60715, and its mounting position allows +/-180° rotation on a vertical surface plus +/-22.5° tilt forward/backward — useful when fitting into tight enclosures. The coil accepts 48-80 VDC (rated value range), with a pickup threshold of 0.8 x rated value and a dropout of 1.1 x full-scale value. Inrush current peaks at 1.1 A; steady-state coil draw is 3.5 VA at both 50 Hz and 60 Hz. Operating times are 38-57 ms for both AC and DC actuation, with an arcing time of 10-20 ms. Main contacts are 3-pole (10 normally open, 2 normally closed configuration per the main contact listing), and an auxiliary switch is built in. The contactor is rated for switching frequencies up to 900 ops/h at AC-1, 850 ops/h at AC-3 and AC-3e, 350 ops/h at AC-2, and 250 ops/h at AC-4 — so it handles high-duty-cycle motor starting but not frequent plugging or inching without derating.
Termination and wiring
Main circuit terminals accept solid conductors 2.5-16 mm² and stranded conductors 6-70 mm². Auxiliary/control terminals accept 2x (0.5-1.5 mm²) solid or stranded, or 2x (0.75-2.5 mm²). All terminals are screw-type on the magnet coil. Clearance distances: 10 mm upward, 20 mm forward, 10 mm downward, 10 mm at the side. The overall dimensions are 70 mm wide, 140 mm high, 152 mm deep — the depth figure is the one to watch when sizing a shallow enclosure backplate.