What the DC switching ratings mean for fit
The 3RT2516-2BM40 is a Size S00 SIRIUS contactor with spring-type terminals on both the coil and main current circuit. Its DC-13 switching capability is specified per voltage level — 10 A at 24 V rated value, 2 A at 48 V, 2 A at 60 V, 1 A at 110 V, 2 A at 125 V, 0.3 A at 220 V, 10 A at 230 V, 3 A at 400 V, 0.8 A at 440 V, and 0.1 A at 600 V. These are not continuous ratings; they are the make/break capacities for inductive DC loads.
Both the coil and main circuit use spring-type (spring-loaded) terminals. The solid or stranded conductor range is 2x (0.5... 4 mm²) — per the evidence, the solid entry reads 2x (0.5... 4 mm²) and the stranded entry reads 2x (0,5... 4 mm²). This accepts standard control wiring sizes without ferrule crimping, though ferruled stranded is also compatible within the same cross-section.
Environmental and operational limits
The mechanical service life of the contactor is typically 30,000,000 operations. Maximum operating frequency at AC is 10,000 1/h, and at AC-1 maximum is 1,000 1/h. DC dropout time is 7 to 13 ms.