What this part is and what it isn't
The Siemens 3VA1116-1AA42-0KA0 is a SENTRON switch disconnector in a molded-case switch (MCCB) form factor — it provides visible isolation and load-break capability but carries no overload or short-circuit protection. Rated continuous current Iu is 160 A on a 4-pole frame, with a rated insulation voltage Ui of 800 V and maximum operational voltage of 690 V AC 50/60 Hz or 600 V DC. The short-time withstand rating is 2 kA at both 1 s and 0.5 s, meaning it can pass fault current for that duration without damage while upstream protection clears the fault.
Shunt trip and auxiliary release
This variant ships with a shunt trip (STL) release designed for remote tripping: coil rated 220-250 V DC or 208-277 V AC. There is no undervoltage release, no auxiliary contact block, and no communication function — the only integrated release is the shunt trip. The front terminal accepts busbar connection for the main circuit; the optional motor drive is available as a field-installable accessory.
Panel fit and environment
Dimensions are 70 mm deep, 101.6 mm wide, and 130 mm high — the 4-pole width is wider than the standard 3-pole 76.2 mm footprint, so a panel designed for a 3-pole 3VA will need additional DIN rail space or a different gland plate cutout. Front protection class is IP40, suitable for enclosed panel mounting; operating temperature range is -25 °C to 70 °C, storage from -40 °C to 80 °C. Maximum power loss at rated current is 38 W.
How it differs from a circuit breaker sibling
The closest peer in the same frame size is the 3VA1110-5EE32-0JA0, a 3-pole 100 A molded-case circuit breaker with TM220 thermal-magnetic overcurrent release and a switching capacity class M (187 kA at 240 V). The key difference: the 3VA1116-1AA42-0KA0 is a switch disconnector with no overcurrent protection — it cannot clear a fault on its own and relies entirely on upstream protection. The 3VA1110-5EE32-0JA0 also uses lug terminals rather than busbar connection, and its 76.2 mm width means it occupies less DIN rail space. For a panel already wired for a 3-pole breaker, the 4-pole 3VA1116-1AA42-0KA0 will not drop in without rewiring and widening the mounting footprint.