S3 frame, 96 mm wide — what the DIN rail space buys you
The 3RT2346-1AN60 is a SIRIUS contactor in the S3 frame size, 96 mm wide, 140 mm tall, 152 mm deep. That width is the first thing to check against your DIN rail layout — it's wider than the S2 frame (which is 55 mm) and narrower than the S6 (which is 120 mm). If your panel was laid out for a different frame, the mounting holes and rail clip won't line up without a bracket. These are the minimum air gaps to adjacent metal or enclosures — ignore them and you'll get tracking or arc flash between phases on a fault.
Wire terminations — main and auxiliary
Main contacts accept stranded wire from 6 to 70 mm². That's a wide range — a 6 mm² tail for control transformers or a 70 mm² feed for a 50 hp motor both fit without adapters. The magnet coil uses screw-type terminals. Coil voltage is AC only — no DC coil option on this variant. If your control voltage is 24 VDC, you need the DC coil version (3RT2346-1AN60 is AC).
Auxiliary contacts and switching capacity
This contactor includes an auxiliary switch block — 2 contacts, configurable as NO or NC depending on wiring. The main contacts are 3-pole (10... 2 configuration, meaning 3 main poles). These are the make/break capacities — don't exceed them or the contacts weld shut.
Mechanical endurance is 10 million operations typical. Arcing time is 10 to 20 ms; operating time on AC is 10 to 21 ms. Shock resistance: 10.6 g for 5 ms and 6.3 g for 10 ms on DC — relevant if this contactor is mounted on a vibrating conveyor or press.
The lifecycle stage is listed as current — meaning Siemens still produces this part number. For BOM freeze or long-term planning, this is an active line item.