Siemens 3RT2015-1AP01 — AC Contactor Specs & Buyer Guide

By Abdullah Zahid
12 min read
Siemens 3RT2015-1AP01 Size S00 AC power contactor 7A 3kW 230V coil for 3-phase motor control panel

Siemens 3RT2015-1AP01 Power Contactor AC-3e/AC-3, 7 A, 3 kW / 400 V, 3-pole, 230 V AC, 50/60 Hz, Size S00 — Complete Specifications, Sizing, and Alternatives Guide

If you are a controls engineer or procurement specialist evaluating a compact 3-phase AC motor contactor for a panel with limited space and a 230 V AC control supply, the Siemens 3RT2015-1AP01 is likely already on your shortlist. This Size S00 unit from the SIRIUS 3RT20 series is rated 7 A and 3 kW at 400 V in AC-3 duty, making it a direct fit for induction motors from 0.5 kW up to 3 kW across voltages from 230 V to 690 V. The core question is whether this exact catalog number matches your coil voltage, contact configuration, and load rating — and this guide gives you the concrete answer.

If you have already confirmed this is the right part, check current pricing and availability at LeadTime.ca — ships worldwide.

Who Should Buy the 3RT2015-1AP01 — and Who Shouldn't

This contactor is the correct choice when all of the following are true for your application:

  • Motor or load rated power does not exceed 3 kW at 400 V (or 4 kW at 690 V) in AC-3 duty
  • Your control supply is 230 V AC at 50 or 60 Hz — not 24 V DC, 110 V AC, or any other voltage
  • You need a 3-pole normally open main contact configuration for a 3-phase induction motor circuit
  • Size S00 fits your DIN rail or panel layout — the compact frame suits space-constrained enclosures
  • An insulation voltage of 690 V AC meets or exceeds your system nominal voltage plus safety margin
  • A single 1 NO auxiliary contact is sufficient for your status feedback or logic chain

If your motor exceeds 3 kW at 400 V, you need an S02 or larger SIRIUS frame. If your control supply is 24 V DC, order the 3RT2015-1A DC coil variant instead. If you need a normally closed auxiliary contact or multiple auxiliary contacts, select the 3RT2015-1A4 or a modular 3RH series block.

On this page:

What the 3RT2015-1AP01 Actually Does in a Motor Control Circuit

The Siemens 3RT2015-1AP01 is a power contactor — the primary switching device that connects or disconnects line voltage from a motor or resistive load without requiring anyone to physically touch the power circuit. When a 230 V AC signal is applied across the A1 and A2 coil terminals, the electromagnet pulls in the three main contacts simultaneously, completing the three-phase circuit to the motor. When the coil is de-energized, spring pressure opens those contacts and the motor stops. The built-in 1 NO auxiliary contact changes state at the same time, giving a PLC or safety relay a confirmed status signal.

Rated at 7 A and 3 kW at 400 V in AC-3 duty, this contactor is classified under IEC 60947-4-1 for the standard induction motor switching duty cycle. The AC-3e and AC-3 ratings cover normal starting and running conditions where the contactor closes onto motor inrush and opens at running current. The SIRIUS 3RT20 series has an IEC 61508 T1 service life of 20 years, and the unit carries CE marking and UL recognition with A600 / Q600 auxiliary contact ratings — two proof points that matter during facility compliance audits.

Typical System Architecture for Size S00 Contactors

The 3RT2015-1AP01 sits between the motor protection device and the motor terminals in the power path, while its coil is driven by the low-voltage control circuit. Here is where it fits in a typical direct-on-line motor starter arrangement:

  • Upstream: main circuit breaker or fuse providing short-circuit protection for the branch circuit
  • Motor protection relay or overload relay (wired in series with the contactor main contacts) for thermal protection
  • 3RT2015-1AP01 main contacts (terminals 1/3/5 in, 2/4/6 out) switching the three phases to the motor
  • 230 V AC control circuit feeding the A1/A2 coil, typically switched by a PLC output, pushbutton, or safety relay contact
  • 1 NO auxiliary contact feeding a PLC digital input or status indicator for confirmed run feedback

Industries and Applications Where This Contactor Is the Standard Choice

The 3RT2015-1AP01 is the go-to device for direct-on-line starting of 3-phase squirrel-cage induction motors in the 0.5 kW to 3 kW range. In food and beverage processing, it controls conveyor drives, mixer motors, and pump starters where panel space is at a premium and 230 V AC control wiring is already installed throughout the facility.

In HVAC and building control, this contactor switches compressor motors, fan drives, and circulation pumps on and off in response to thermostat or BMS signals. The 50/60 Hz coil compatibility means the same catalog number works across facilities on either grid frequency without a hardware change.

Water treatment and irrigation installations rely on this class of contactor for pump motor starting and stopping in remote pump stations, where the IP20 rating is acceptable inside a sealed enclosure and the -25 to +60°C operating range covers most indoor equipment room conditions.

In packaging machinery and light manufacturing, the 3RT2015-1AP01 handles spindle motors, indexing drives, and actuator control circuits where a compact Size S00 footprint is critical to keeping the machine control cabinet to a manageable size.

Application Typical Deployment
Conveyor drive control Direct-on-line starting of 1.5–3 kW belt or roller conveyor motors in logistics and packaging lines
Pump motor control On/off switching of circulation and transfer pumps in water treatment and irrigation systems
HVAC compressor switching Contactor controlled by thermostat or BMS relay for compressor and fan motor on/off duty
Reversing motor drive Two 3RT2015-1AP01 units wired anti-parallel with interlocking logic for forward-reverse control
Emergency stop integration Contactor de-energized by safety relay output in PLC-controlled emergency stop loops
Batch process sequencing Timer relay or PLC output controls contactor pull-in for heating, cooling, and mixing cycle automation

Purchase-Decision Specs: What the Numbers Mean for Your Application

Parameter Value
Rated Power AC-3 at 400 V 3 kW
Rated Power AC-3 at 690 V 4 kW
Rated Current AC-3 at 400 V 7 A
Rated Current AC-3 at 690 V 4.9 A
Rated Current AC-1 (resistive) at 400 V 18 A
Control Coil Voltage 230 V AC, 50/60 Hz
Auxiliary Contact 1 NO, rated 10 A at 230 V
Insulation Voltage 690 V AC
Operating Temperature -25 to +60°C
Protection Class / Frame Size IP20 / Size S00

Full technical specifications are available on the product page at LeadTime.ca.

3RT2015-1AP01 vs. DC Variants and Competitor Equivalents

Specification 3RT2015-1AP01 3RT2015-1A (DC) Eaton DIL M32 GE CL12A Schneider LC1D09
Rated Power AC-3 at 400 V 3 kW 3 kW 3 kW 3 kW 4 kW
Rated Current 7 A 7 A 6.3 A 6 A 9 A
Control Voltage 230 V AC 24 V DC 24 V DC (coil optional) 120 V AC / 24 V DC 24 V DC
Auxiliary Contacts 1 NO (10 A) 1 NO (10 A) Modular (2–4 contacts) 2 NO / 2 NC Modular (1–2)
Frame Size S00 S00 Compact M32 Type 00 TeSys compact
Terminal Type Screw Screw Screw Screw or clip Cage-clamp
Typical Lead Time 1–2 weeks 1–2 weeks 2–3 weeks 2–4 weeks 1–2 weeks
Price Point Mid-range Mid-range Mid-range Budget Mid to premium
Key Strength SIRIUS reliability; wide voltage range Industrial DC coil standard; cost DIN-standard terminals; modular contacts Cost competitive; retrofit compatibility High power density; fast supply
Key Limitation AC coil only; fewer contact options Higher coil power draw Less compact Older design; fewer modern features Higher price; learning curve for new users

If your control architecture already runs on 230 V AC and your motor is 3 kW or under at 400 V, the 3RT2015-1AP01 is the correct choice — check current availability at LeadTime.ca.

Expert Verdict: When to Buy It and When to Look at Something Else

The Siemens 3RT2015-1AP01 earns its place in any panel builder's standard BOM because it covers the most common small motor switching scenario — 3-phase induction motors up to 3 kW at 400 V, controlled from an existing 230 V AC wiring infrastructure — with a form factor small enough to fit three or four units in the space a previous-generation contactor occupied alone. The SIRIUS 3RT20 series is a mature product line with genuine parts availability worldwide, and the IEC 61508 T1 20-year service life rating gives procurement teams confidence that a stocked replacement will still be a catalogue item when the first unit eventually wears out. The wide insulation voltage of 690 V AC also provides meaningful headroom for facilities that run 480 V or 600 V systems, reducing the number of SKUs a maintenance team needs to manage.

Where this model has real limits: the 230 V AC coil is a hard constraint. Modern control panels are increasingly built around 24 V DC I/O, and driving a 230 V AC coil from a PLC output almost always requires an interposing relay — adding cost, space, and a failure point. If your panel is 24 V DC throughout, the 3RT2015-1A with DC coil is a cleaner solution. Similarly, the single 1 NO auxiliary contact means any application requiring normally closed feedback, dual contacts, or mix-and-match contact blocks will need the 3RT2015-1A4 suffix or a plug-in 3RH series auxiliary block. And for motors above 3 kW at 400 V, this frame size simply cannot be derated to fit — you need an S02 or larger contactor from the SIRIUS family.

From a procurement standpoint, the 3RT2015-1AP01 is a readily stocked item in the global industrial supply chain with typical in-stock lead times of 1–2 weeks under normal conditions. Volume orders of 10 or more units commonly attract discounts of 10% to 20% off list price. During periods of extended supply chain disruption, this model has historically seen lead times stretch to 8–12 weeks, which is the primary argument for maintaining 1–2 spare units on the shelf for critical production lines. If this matches your system requirements, view current stock and pricing at LeadTime.ca.

For volume pricing or to confirm lead time before committing to a build, contact the LeadTime.ca team directly — we ship worldwide.

Wiring and Installation Overview

The 3RT2015-1AP01 mounts on a 35 mm symmetric DIN rail per IEC 60715. Before installation, verify the following:

  • Mount on a 35 mm symmetric DIN rail with 10–15 mm horizontal clearance on each side for air circulation; target ambient below 50°C at the mounting location to stay within the -25 to +60°C rated operating range
  • Main contact terminals accept a minimum wire gauge of 2.5 mm² for the 7 A AC-3 current rating; screw terminals require standard M4 torque — consult the device nameplate for the exact tightening value
  • Coil terminals A1 and A2 connect to 230 V AC phase and neutral respectively; protect the control circuit with an external 2–4 A fuse or circuit breaker; do not rely on the contactor itself for control circuit protection
  • The 1 NO auxiliary contact is rated 10 A at 230 V and is intended for PLC status feedback or logic chain signals — do not use it for direct power-level switching without an interposing relay
  • Verify phase sequence at the main terminals after wiring; incorrect sequence will reverse motor rotation direction at first power-up

Engineers requiring full wiring diagrams, torque specifications, and commissioning procedures should refer to the official Siemens SIRIUS 3RT20 series datasheet available from the Siemens support portal.

Wrong-Part Prevention Checklist Before You Order

Run through every item below before submitting your purchase order. Each check corresponds to a real failure mode documented in the field.

  1. Confirm motor/load rated power does not exceed 3 kW at 400 V (AC-3 rating); for higher power, step up to S02 or larger frame
  2. Verify facility has 230 V AC control supply available (common), or select a different coil voltage variant
  3. Check that all three poles (3-pole configuration) are required for the application; single-phase loads require special wiring consideration
  4. Confirm auxiliary contact count: this model has 1 NO contact; if you need NC or multiple contacts, select 3RT2015-1A4 or similar
  5. Verify insulation voltage (690 V) meets or exceeds system nominal voltage plus safety margin
  6. Check that screw terminals are acceptable; some applications require spring terminals (different SKU)
  7. Confirm operating temperature range (-25 to 60°C) covers your installation environment
  8. For DC motor or load switching, this is AC-rated; specify DC-1, DC-3, DC-5, or DC-12/DC-13 current ratings if DC load required

If any item raises a question, contact the LeadTime.ca team before ordering — our application specialists can confirm the correct catalog number for your exact requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I retrofit a 3RT2015-1AP01 into a panel designed for an older Siemens 3TH82 contactor?

Not directly. The 3RT20 series is more compact than the 3TH82, and terminal layouts differ between the two generations. Mechanical and electrical modifications would be required. Consult the panel OEM or engage a systems integrator for a safe retrofit plan before proceeding.

My facility only has 110 V AC available. Can I use the 3RT2015-1AP01?

No. The 3RT2015-1AP01 is factory-wound for 230 V AC only. You need to order the 3RT2015-1A with a 110 V AC coil option. Installing a step-up transformer in the control circuit is technically possible but adds cost and panel footprint, making it the less practical solution in most cases.

Is the 3RT2015-1AP01 suitable for DC motor or DC load switching?

The AC-3 rating applies to AC induction motors only. If you have a DC motor or DC resistive load, you must check the load current against the DC-1, DC-3, DC-5, DC-12, or DC-13 ratings listed in the datasheet. For DC motor control specifically, consult Siemens documentation to confirm a rated variant is appropriate for your exact load type.

How long do the contacts typically last under normal AC-3 duty?

Contacts are not user-replaceable on this contactor. Under normal AC-3 duty with 1 to 10 switching cycles per day, typical contact life is 2–5 years. High-duty cycling applications can reduce this to 6–12 months. When contact resistance drifts more than 20% above baseline, replace the entire contactor rather than attempting contact repair.

Can the 1 NO auxiliary contact drive a solenoid valve coil directly?

The auxiliary contact is rated 10 A at 230 V and can handle a solenoid valve load if the inrush current stays below 3 A. For solenoid valves with high inrush transients, add an external interposing relay to protect the auxiliary contact from premature erosion. The DC-12 rating for the contact path is 10 A at 24 V, which is relevant if you are driving a DC solenoid from this contact.

What happens if I order this contactor for a motor rated above 3 kW at 400 V?

Operating the 3RT2015-1AP01 above its AC-3 rated current of 7 A at 400 V will cause accelerated contact erosion, elevated contact temperatures, and eventual contact welding or failure to open under fault conditions. For motors above 3 kW at 400 V (or above 4 kW at 690 V), you must specify an S02 or larger SIRIUS frame contactor with the appropriate higher current rating.

Why Order From LeadTime.ca

  • LeadTime.ca ships worldwide — procurement teams on any continent can source the 3RT2015-1AP01 through a single vendor relationship
  • Hard-to-find and short-lead items in the SIRIUS 3RT20 series are actively sourced; if a variant is not immediately listed, contact the team directly
  • Volume pricing is available for orders of 10 or more units — relevant for OEM builds and production line stocking programs
  • Response time for quote requests is fast — important when a line-down situation requires a confirmed lead time before approving an emergency order
  • RoHS compliance documentation and formal quotations available on request for facility procurement processes

At-a-Glance Summary

  • Model: Siemens 3RT2015-1AP01 — SIRIUS 3RT20 series, Size S00 compact frame
  • Rated 7 A and 3 kW at 400 V in AC-3 duty; 4 kW at 690 V; 18 A at 400 V in AC-1 resistive duty
  • Control coil: 230 V AC, 50/60 Hz — not compatible with 24 V DC or 110 V AC systems
  • 3-pole main contacts (NO × 3) plus 1 NO auxiliary contact rated 10 A at 230 V
  • Insulation voltage 690 V AC; operating temperature -25 to +60°C; protection class IP20
  • IEC 61508 T1 service life 20 years; CE-marked; UL-recognized A600/Q600 auxiliary contact rating
  • Mounts on 35 mm symmetric DIN rail per IEC 60715; screw terminal design standard
  • Typical in-stock lead time 1–2 weeks; volume discounts available at 10+ and 50+ unit quantities
  • DC coil version: 3RT2015-1A; NC auxiliary contact version: 3RT2015-1A4; higher power: S02 or S3 frame SIRIUS
  • Primary applications: 3-phase induction motor control in conveyor, pump, HVAC, packaging, and batch process systems