What this 3VA1050-3ED42-0AE0 is and what it does
The Siemens SENTRON 3VA1050-3ED42-0AE0 is a 4-pole molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) in the line-protection version, rated for a continuous current Iu of 50 A. It carries a TM210 thermal-magnetic overcurrent release — the 210 designator means the magnetic trip is fixed at 10× In (500 A), so it handles motor inrush without nuisance tripping while still clearing hard faults fast. The interrupting ratings climb to 75.6 kA at 240 V and 52.5 kA at 415 V, which means it can be applied downstream of a transformer or generator with substantial fault current available, not just a weak utility service. The 4-pole construction covers three-phase-plus-neutral applications — common in European distribution panels where the neutral needs switching for isolation or TT earthing systems. The TM210 release has no electronic adjustment, so what you see on the nameplate is what you get: a fixed thermal curve and a fixed magnetic threshold. That simplifies spares holding: one part number, no configuration risk.
Ratings and what they mean for your panel
The 50 A continuous rating holds flat from 40 °C through 50 °C (–), then derates to 48 A at 55 °C, 47 A at 60 °C, 46 A at 65 °C, and 45 A at 70 °C (–). That is a gentle slope — only 10 % loss at the top of the operating range — so you can mount it in a warm cabinet without oversizing the frame. The maximum operating temperature is 70 °C, with a storage range of -40 °C to 80 °C (–), so it can sit in an unheated warehouse or a hot shipping container without damage. The interrupting ratings step down as voltage rises: 75.6 kA at 240 V, 52.5 kA at 415 V, 32 kA at 440 V, and 7.5 kA at 690 V (–). At 415 V — the common three-phase distribution voltage in much of the world — 52.5 kA gives you headroom for a high-capacity transformer secondary. At 690 V the rating drops to 7.5 kA, which still covers most industrial motor-control centers but not a utility tie. The rated insulation voltage Ui is 800 V, confirming the breaker is designed for 690 V systems with margin.
Lifecycle and sourcing reality
This part carries a current lifecycle stage, meaning Siemens has not flagged it for discontinuation. It remains in the active SENTRON 3VA catalog as a standard line-protection MCCB. For a maintenance spares purchaser, that means you can still add it to your critical-spare cabinet without worrying about a last-time-buy window closing next quarter. The 15 000 latching-endurance cycles is typical for a molded-case breaker in distribution duty — it is not a switching device, but it will survive years of occasional manual operation for lockout/tagout.
Physical fit and panel integration
The 3VA1050-3ED42-0AE0 measures 70 mm deep, 101.6 mm wide, and 130 mm tall (–). The front face carries an IP40 protection class — splash protection from the front, but the rear and sides rely on the enclosure. It ships with 4 auxiliary switches HQ, which give you four form-C contacts for status feedback to a PLC or indication lamps without needing an add-on module. There is no undervoltage release, no shunt trip, no ground-fault module, and no communication function — this is a bare breaker for straightforward line protection. If you need remote tripping or monitoring, you add those as separate accessories.