The Siemens 3RU2116-0JC0-ZW97 is a SIRIUS thermal overload relay in the S00 frame size, designed to protect motors against overload and phase failure. The "-ZW97" suffix means this variant carries a special "Tripped" message output — a factory-coded note that flags the relay has operated, useful for remote indication or PLC input without an additional auxiliary block. Trip class is CLASS 10, meaning it will trip within 10 seconds at 7.2× the current setting. That's the standard for standard-duty motor starts — pumps, fans, compressors that don't need a long acceleration curve. For high-inertia loads that need longer start times, you'd step up to a Class 20 or 30 relay. Auxiliary contact ratings cover both AC and DC control circuits: 2 A at 24 V, 3 A at 120 V, 2 A at 230 V, and 1 A at 400 V. That range means it can switch PLC inputs, contactor coils, or indicator lamps across common control voltages without an interposing relay.
Mounting and wiring
Mounts directly onto a contactor — the fastening method is "contactor mounting", which means it clips onto the front of a matching SIRUS contactor (typically a 3RT2 series in S00). No DIN-rail space consumed; the relay piggybacks on the contactor footprint. Mounting position is any, so vertical or horizontal panel layouts work. Main current circuit connections use spring-loaded terminals — no screwdriver needed for the power wires, which speeds up panel wiring. The spring terminals accept 2x (0.5... 2.5 mm²) solid or stranded copper. Auxiliary terminals use screw-type connections, requiring a 3 mm diameter screwdriver tip (3.0 x 0.5 mm blade). Physical footprint: 45 mm wide, 87 mm tall, 70 mm deep. That's the S00 standard — it fits alongside other SIRIUS S00 components on the mounting rail without overhang.
Environmental and compliance
Operating temperature range is -40 to +70 °C, with temperature compensation active from -40 to +60 °C. Storage and transport range is -55 to +80 °C. That covers most indoor industrial environments and unheated warehouses. Substance prohibitance date is 10/01/2009, indicating RoHS compliance from that date forward. MTTF with high demand rate is 2,280 years — a reliability figure for safety-related applications.
Ratings and selection
Rated insulation voltage is 690 V, and the maximum operating voltage for AC-3e duty is also 690 V. Motor power ratings at 400 V are 0.25 kW, at 500 V 0.37 kW, and at 690 V 0.55 kW. Current ratings at 480 V and 600 V are 1 A each. Operating frequency is 50... 60 Hz, which covers standard mains frequencies worldwide. Power dissipation per pole is 1.6 W — three poles means about 4.8 W total heat to manage inside the enclosure. That's low enough that no special ventilation is needed in a standard IP54 panel, but worth checking if the cabinet is densely packed.