SIRIUS S3 Contactor — Panel Integration Notes
The Siemens 3RT7046-1AF00 is a size S3 contactor from the SIRIUS family, built for main current circuit switching with three normally open main contacts and screw-type terminals on both the main and auxiliary/control circuits. It mounts via screw or snap-on onto 35 mm and 75 mm DIN rail, with mounting position flexibility: ±180° rotation on a vertical surface and ±22.5° forward/backward tilt on a vertical surface, which simplifies panel layout when space is tight. Rated for AC-3 and AC-3e duty up to 690 V, this contactor handles motor switching at the standard industrial voltages. The IP20 front enclosure protects against finger contact during panel access, while the terminal area is IP00 — expect exposed live parts inside the panel, standard for this class. Auxiliary contacts are rated for PLC-level reliability at 17 V, 5 mA, so you can wire them directly to a digital input without worrying about contact wetting issues at low signal levels. The coil holds at 0.27 W DC — a low holding power that keeps heat buildup manageable inside a crowded enclosure.
DIN Rail Fit & Wiring
At 70 mm wide, 148 mm tall, and 139 mm deep, the S3 footprint fits standard panel layouts. The screw terminals accept 2x (0.5 to 1.5 mm²) solid/stranded or 2x (0.75 to 2.5 mm²) finely stranded with ferrules, covering the common control and power wiring sizes.
Coordination & Protection
For type 1 coordination, the required upstream fuse is a gL/gG NH 3NA rated at 200 A. That gives you a clear selectivity boundary for the branch circuit. Maximum operating frequency is 800 switching operations per hour under AC-3 or AC-3e duty, and 250 per hour under AC-4 (plugging/reversing). That's adequate for most conveyor, pump, and fan cycling — but if you're running high-speed indexing or frequent reversing, check the AC-4 limit against your cycle rate.