What this MCCB carries and where it fits
The Siemens SENTRON 3VA1116-3EF32-0CH0 is a 3-pole molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) rated for line protection in distribution panels. It carries 160 A continuously at 40 °C ambient, with a slight thermal derating curve that holds 150 A at 70 °C — useful when the breaker shares a warm enclosure with other heat sources. The 75.6 kA breaking capacity at 240 V AC gives it headroom for high-fault installations; at 415 V it still interrupts 52.5 kA, and at 690 V it holds 11.9 kA. The rated insulation voltage of 800 V covers most industrial supply voltages without additional derating. This is a line-protection design — no ground-fault monitoring, no communication module, no voltage-trip coil. It ships with an undervoltage release (UVR) and a factory-fitted auxiliary switch block: two auxiliary contacts plus one trip-alarm switch (HQ). The auxiliary switch design is 2 auxiliary switches + 1 trip alarm switch HQ, which gives separate signaling for breaker position and fault condition. The 70 mm depth, 76.2 mm width, and 130 mm height fit standard Siemens SENTRON panel footprints; the 3-pole block occupies three 25.4 mm module positions on the DIN rail.
Thermal performance and power loss
The breaker dissipates a maximum of 40.5 W at rated load — a figure to factor into enclosure thermal calculations, especially when multiple breakers are ganged. The operating temperature range spans -25 °C to 70 °C, with storage from -40 °C to 80 °C. The continuous current rating holds flat at 160 A from 40 °C through 50 °C, then begins a gradual derating: 158 A at 55 °C, 155 A at 60 °C, 153 A at 65 °C, and 150 A at 70 °C. This thermal curve is typical for thermal-magnetic MCCBs and governs the real-world ampacity in warm panels.
Breaking capacity by voltage
The interrupting rating varies with system voltage: 75.6 kA at 240 V, 52.5 kA at 415 V, 32 kA at 440 V, and 11.9 kA at both 500 V and 690 V. These figures define the maximum fault current the breaker can safely clear at each voltage level — critical for coordination studies and SCCR compliance in the panel label. The 75.6 kA at 240 V covers most North American 240/120 V distribution; the 52.5 kA at 415 V suits European 400 V networks.
Dimensions and panel fit
The 3VA1116-3EF32-0CH0 measures 70 mm deep, 76.2 mm wide, and 130 mm tall. The 76.2 mm width corresponds to three 25.4 mm module positions on a standard DIN rail — the usual SENTRON mounting pitch. The 70 mm depth leaves clearance for rear-connected busbars or cable lugs in a typical 200 mm deep enclosure. The trip indicator is present, giving a visual flag when the breaker has tripped on fault.