The Siemens 3RT2046-3AF00 is a SIRIUS power contactor in the S3 frame size, rated for 96 A at 480 V in AC-3 duty — that is the motor-switching current, not the resistive load rating. AC-3 (IEC 60947-4-1) covers starting and disconnecting squirrel-cage motors under load, so this is the figure that decides whether the contactor holds in on a pump, fan, or compressor start. It carries a 20 hp rating at 230 V, and the auxiliary contact block is present (10 A at 24 V, 2 A at 48 V, 1 A at 110 V, 0.3 A at 220 V).
That matters when you are fitting it into a crowded panel — you are not locked into one orientation. Main circuit wiring accepts solid conductors 2.5 to 16 mm² and stranded 6 to 70 mm². The magnet coil connection uses spring-type terminals, which speeds up wiring and avoids re-torquing on a maintenance visit. Depth is 152 mm, width 70 mm, height 140 mm — the S3 footprint is compact for the 96 A rating.
Switching frequency and thermal limits
Rated switching frequency varies by duty: 900 cycles/hour in AC-1 (resistive), 850 in AC-3 (motor start/run), 350 in AC-2 (slip-ring motors), and 250 in AC-4 (plugging/inching). The AC-3e maximum is also 850 cycles/hour. For a conveyor line cycling every 30 seconds, that is comfortably within the 850/h ceiling.