What the ratings mean for fit
The Siemens 3VA1112-6EF32-0JC0 is a SENTRON molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) for line protection — 3-pole, rated continuous current Iu of 125 A, fitted with a TM240 thermal-magnetic overcurrent release. The 220 kA breaking capacity at 240 V is the headline number; it tells you this breaker safely interrupts faults up to that level without cascading upstream. That kind of SCCR headroom matters when you're coordinating downstream feeders in a distribution panel where available fault current is high. The TM240 release means the thermal element is calibrated for a 240 A frame — the breaker's continuous rating is set by the installed trip unit, not the frame. At 125 A continuous, it carries the full load without nuisance tripping, but the magnetic pickup (short-circuit) threshold sits higher, so motor inrush or transformer energization won't pop it prematurely. For a 125 A feeder, that's the right balance. Thermal derating is built in: the breaker holds 125 A from 40 °C up to 50 °C, then steps down through 120 A at 55 °C to 112.5 A at 70 °C. If your panel ambient runs hot — say, a crowded enclosure near a furnace line — you need to account for that curve at the design stage, not after commissioning. The shunt trip (STL) auxiliary release is included (order code 3VA9688-0BL32 for the integrated trip block). That lets you remotely trip the breaker via a control signal — typical for emergency-stop circuits or remote load shedding. The 2 HQ auxiliary switches give you status feedback (open/closed) back to the PLC or panel indicators.
Panel fit and deployment
Footprint: 130 mm high, 76.2 mm wide, 70 mm deep. That's a standard 3-pole MCCB cutout — it fits existing SENTRON 3VA panel layouts without re-drilling. The front face carries an IP40 rating, meaning tools or fingers won't reach live parts; the body itself is open to the enclosure environment, so keep the overall panel IP rating in mind. Mounts on a DIN rail or direct panel-mount via the 3VA mounting base. No communication module, no phase-failure detection, no ground-fault monitoring on this variant — it's a straight thermal-magnetic line protection breaker. If you need those functions, you step up to the electronic-trip or communicating versions in the 3VA family.
Lifecycle and sourcing reality
No formal successor exists because none is needed — this is the current generation. If you're replacing an older Siemens 3VL or earlier 3VF series breaker, the 3VA family is the direct upgrade path; check the mounting footprint and terminal spacing against your existing panel layout before ordering.