The 3RT6025-1AH00: The AC-3 rating of 23 kW at 400 V (60 °C) is the figure that governs motor switching in most European industrial panels — it tells you the contactor can handle the inrush and breaking of a standard squirrel-cage induction motor up to that power. The 690 V AC-3 rating (40 kW) covers higher-voltage drives, common in mining or marine installations. Rated insulation voltage of 690 V means the contactor is suitable for 400 V and 690 V line-to-line systems with adequate clearance. Mechanical service life of 10 million cycles and a maximum mechanical switching frequency of 5000 1/h indicate it is built for high-duty-cycle applications like conveyor or pump cycling. The AC-4 maximum switching rate of 300 1/h is the limit for plugging or inching duty — exceed that and the contacts will wear prematurely.
Side-by-side mounting is permitted — no derating required for adjacent units if ambient stays within -25 to +60 °C. Screw terminals for both main and auxiliary/control circuits accept 2x (0.5…1.5 mm²) solid or stranded, or 2x (0.75…2.5 mm²); AWG equivalents are 2x (16…12) and 2x (14…8). Minimum conductor cross-section is 10 mm² at both 40 °C and 60 °C.