Switch disconnector, not a breaker — know the difference
The Siemens SENTRON 3VA1110-1AA36-0KC0 is a 3-pole switch disconnector rated for 100 A continuous current (Iu) in the 3VA1 IEC frame 160. It is not a molded case circuit breaker — it provides no overload or short-circuit protection. Its job is safe isolation under load: you open this when you need a visible break in the circuit for lockout or maintenance, not for fault clearing. The shunt trip release (STL) is wired for 220-250 V DC or 208-277 V AC, letting you trip the disconnector remotely via a control signal. Two auxiliary switches HQ (2 CO contacts) report the main contact position back to the PLC or status lamp. Front clamp terminals on the main circuit — strip and torque, no lug crimping needed.
Where this fits in the panel
The 3VA1110-1AA36-0KC0 occupies a 76.2 mm wide slot on the DIN rail or mounting plate — standard 3-pole MCCB footprint. Depth is 70 mm, height 130 mm. IP40 on the front face means it is protected against solid objects over 1 mm but not sealed against moisture; keep it inside the enclosure, not on the washdown side of the gland plate. Maximum power loss is 38 W at full rated current. That matters for thermal rise inside a densely packed panel — account for it in your enclosure ventilation calc. Operating temperature range is -25 °C to 70 °C; storage from -40 °C to 80 °C.
Rated voltages and endurance
Rated insulation voltage Ui is 800 V. Maximum operational voltage: 690 V AC (50/60 Hz) or 500 V DC. Mechanical endurance is 15 000 operations — that is the latching endurance figure; for a switch disconnector used in daily isolation, that is a solid service life. The limited-time withstand ratings (2 kA at 1 s and 0.5 s) confirm it can sit on the load side of a protective device without damage during a downstream fault.