What it is and what it does
The Siemens 4EP3801-1DS00 is a commutating choke (line reactor) designed for converter drives — it sits between the mains and the drive's rectifier to limit current rise, reduce harmonics, and protect the DC link from line-side transients. It's a 3-phase, 400 V AC unit rated at 81.9 A continuous (91 A maximum), with an inductance of 0.15 mH and a relative inductive voltage drop of 2% at rated current. The IP00 open-frame construction means it's intended for installation inside a cabinet or enclosure — no touch protection on the windings, so keep it behind a locked panel door.
Where it goes and how it connects
This choke mounts on a flat surface inside the panel — no DIN rail, no snap-on. The flat-type terminals accept bus bars or cable lugs; plan for a 0.178 m width, 0.153 m height, and 0.12 m depth footprint. At IP00 it's a bare magnetic component, so locate it away from sensitive electronics and ensure adequate airflow — 71 W of heat needs to escape. The 50 Hz operating frequency is standard for European mains; verify if your drive runs on 60 Hz — the choke will work but the inductance value and saturation behavior shift slightly.