What it is and where it fits
The Siemens 3RT6026-1AL20 is a SIRIUS power contactor in the S0 frame size, designed for switching motor loads in industrial control panels. It mounts on a 35 mm DIN rail per DIN EN 50022, with screw-and-snap-on fastening, and accepts screw-type terminals for the main current circuit. Rated for AC-3 duty up to 690 V, this contactor delivers 23 kW at 400 V and 40 kW at 690 V, both at a 60 °C ambient — the derated figures that govern real panel installations. The 45 mm width and 97 mm depth keep it compact for multi-contactor arrays. Operating temperature range is -25 to +60 °C, with storage from -55 to +80 °C. Pollution degree 3 suits it for industrial environments with conductive contamination.
Key ratings and what they mean for your BOM
The headline motor ratings at 60 °C are the ones that matter for a panel build: 13.3 kW at 230 V, 23 kW at 400 V, and 40 kW at 690 V. These are not the idealised 40 °C numbers — they reflect the actual current-carrying capacity when the contactor is inside an enclosure with other heat sources. Mechanical endurance is rated at 10,000,000 operating cycles typical, with AC-3 electrical life at 750 cycles per hour maximum. For high-duty applications like frequent reversing or inching, the AC-4 maximum drops to 250 cycles per hour — that's the figure to size against if your load profile includes plugging or jogging. The coil draws 6 A at 24 V rated value, 1 A at 110 V, and 0.3 A at 220 V. These are the inrush figures for sizing control transformers and power supplies — the holding current will be lower, but the pick-up is what stresses the circuit.
Mounting and integration notes
Mounting position allows +/- 180° rotation on a vertical surface, and can be tilted forward or backward by +/- 22.5°. Side-by-side mounting is permitted without derating, which simplifies multi-contactor assemblies in a single panel row. Terminal capacity for the main circuit accepts 2 x (0.5 to 1.5 mm²) or 2 x (0.75 to 2.5 mm²) solid or stranded wire. Minimum permissible cross-section at both 40 °C and 60 °C is 10 mm² — that's the smallest wire that carries the full rated current without exceeding temperature limits.