What the ratings mean for fit
The Siemens SENTRON 3VA1110-5EF32-0AA0 is a 3-pole molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) rated for line protection, carrying a continuous current of 100 A at 40 °C ambient — the figure that governs thermal sizing in a closed panel. The TM240 thermal-magnetic trip unit means the thermal element is fixed at 100 A (the frame rating), while the magnetic pickup is set at 240 A ±20 %, so it handles motor inrush without nuisance tripping on a 30–40 A motor start but clears a bolted fault fast. At 240 V the interrupting rating hits 187 kA — that is the SCCR the breaker can safely clear without venting or welding contacts, which sets the available fault current the upstream transformer or bus must not exceed. At 415 V it still holds 121 kA; at 690 V it drops to 17 kA, so verify the line-to-line voltage on a 480 V or 600 V system before specifying. The breaker carries a maximum power loss of 25 W at rated current — that heat has to be dissipated inside the enclosure, so factor it into the thermal budget if the panel is tightly packed or in a high-ambient environment like a motor control center.
Thermal derating and deployment context
This MCCB holds its full 100 A rating up to 50 °C ambient, then begins a gentle derating curve: 98 A at 55 °C, 96 A at 60 °C, 94 A at 65 °C, and 91 A at 70 °C. That means in a ventilated 40 °C panel it works at nameplate; in a sealed enclosure near a drive or transformer, the actual load must be trimmed by up to 9 % to avoid nuisance thermal tripping over the equipment's service life. The operating temperature range spans -25 °C to 70 °C, with storage from -40 °C to 80 °C — the storage limit governs handling and warehousing, not running. The front face is rated IP40, so it is protected against tools and wires larger than 1 mm but not against water ingress; mount it inside a panel with a higher enclosure rating for washdown or outdoor duty.
Panel integration and dimensions
The breaker measures 130 mm high, 76.2 mm wide, and 70 mm deep — a 3-pole MCCB footprint that fits standard Siemens SENTRON panel cutouts and busbar systems. The 70 mm depth includes the arc chamber and line-side terminals, so verify clearance behind the mounting plate for cable bending radius. No undervoltage release, no shunt trip, and no communication function on this variant — it is a straight thermal-magnetic line-protection device.