160 A MCCB with TM240 release — what the ratings mean for your panel
The Siemens SENTRON 3VA1116-3EF32-0DC0 is a 3-pole molded case circuit breaker rated 160 A continuous current (Iu) at 40 °C, with a TM240 thermal-magnetic release — meaning the thermal element is fixed at 160 A and the magnetic pickup is set at 240 A for short-circuit protection. The interrupting capacity hits 75.6 kA at 240 V and 52.5 kA at 415 V, so it handles high-fault utility feeds or transformer secondaries without cascading upstream. At 690 V it still clears 10.5 kA, enough for most 690 V motor control centers. The 160 A rating holds flat from 40 °C to 50 °C; above that it derates to 144 A at 70 °C — a useful curve for a warm enclosure with other breakers sharing the space. This is a line-protection version — no ground-fault module, no phase-failure detection, no communication. It carries two built-in HQ auxiliary switches (form C) for status feedback to a PLC or indication lamp. An undervoltage release (UVR) is fitted as standard; the integrated auxiliary trip order code is 3VA9608-0BB25 if you need a spare. The front face is IP40, so it's fine for a clean indoor panel but not washdown. Mechanical endurance is rated at 15,000 operations — typical for a 160 A frame in a distribution board where it cycles a few times a year, not a daily-switched motor starter. The DIN-rail footprint is 76.2 mm wide by 130 mm tall by 70 mm deep, so it occupies three 25 mm module spaces on a standard 35 mm DIN rail. Panel builders: the depth is shallow enough to clear a 100 mm backplate-to-door clearance.
Sourcing and lifecycle — current production, quoted to order
The 3VA series is Siemens' standard MCCB platform, so documentation (IEC 60947-2, UL 489, CSA C22.2 No. 5) is available from Siemens Support. The reference code per DIN EN 81346-2 is Q, for circuit-breaker function.
Panel fit and integration — footprint and auxiliaries
Mounts on 35 mm DIN rail. The 76.2 mm width matches the standard 3-pole MCCB footprint — no adapter plate needed. The two HQ auxiliary switches are pre-installed and wired to the breaker's internal terminal block; they switch at 6 A / 250 V AC for PLC inputs or pilot lights. If the panel was originally specified around a 3VA1010-2ED32-0JA0 (100 A frame), this 160 A unit is physically larger (76.2 mm vs 55 mm wide) and will not drop in without rail space and busbar rework — the rating jump also changes the cable and busbar sizing.