ATEX-rated soft starter for hazardous-area motor control
The Siemens 3RW5073-2AB15 is a hybrid switching device rated for soft starting motors in ATEX-classified zones, carrying both ATEX and IECEx certification. This means it can be specified into Ex-rated installations without an additional isolation barrier — the starter itself is the certified interface between the supply and the motor in a potentially explosive atmosphere. Minimum operating current is 100 A, with a rated voltage range of 200 to 600 V, covering standard low-voltage motor networks globally. The trip class is selectable between CLASS 10A, 10E (preset), and 20E per IEC 60947-4-2 — choose 10A for standard motor protection, 10E for electronic overload relay coordination, or 20E for high-inertia loads that need a longer acceleration window before tripping.
Fieldbus suite and control flexibility
Onboard communications include PROFIBUS, Modbus RTU, Modbus TCP, and EtherNet/IP, so it drops into most industrial networks without a separate gateway. PROFIenergy support is available when paired with the PROFINET standard communication module — useful for energy-aware production lines that power down motors during idle shifts. The analog output is configurable as 4-20 mA or 0-10 V via the High Feature HMI, giving the controls engineer a live current or voltage signal proportional to motor load for trending or SCADA integration. Remote reset is achieved by cycling the control supply voltage — no field visit required after a trip.
Mounting and environmental limits
Mounting is screw-fixing with a vertical surface orientation; the unit can be rotated ±90° or tilted ±22.5° forward and back, so it fits into panels where the DIN rail is already populated. Clearance requirements are 100 mm upward, 10 mm forward, 0 mm backward, 75 mm downward, and 5 mm at the sides — plan the enclosure layout around these gaps for airflow and wiring access. Shock resistance is 15 g for 11 ms, or 12 g if potential contact lifting is a concern, which covers most industrial vibration profiles from conveyors to compressors.
