160 A MCCB with TM240 release — what the ratings mean for your panel
The Siemens 3VA1116-3EF32-0JC0 is a SENTRON molded case circuit breaker rated for 160 A continuous current (Iu) across a 3-pole configuration, designed specifically for line protection in distribution panels. The TM240 thermal-magnetic release handles overload and short-circuit protection without electronic adjustment — fixed thermal curve, fixed magnetic trip, no dip switches to mis-set during commissioning. Breaking capacity varies by system voltage: 75.6 kA at 240 V, 52.5 kA at 415 V, 32 kA at 440 V, and 10.5 kA at 690 V. At 415 V — common for industrial motor control centers — the 52.5 kA figure gives solid headroom above typical 25–36 kA SCCR requirements, meaning this breaker can sit upstream of smaller branch devices without coordination concerns at that level. Rated insulation voltage Ui is 800 V, so the 690 V breaking capacity is within the insulation envelope — the breaker is not derated for voltage stress at that level, only for the interrupting duty itself.
Thermal derating and ambient temperature — real-world current capability
The 160 A rating holds flat from 40 °C through 50 °C ambient. Above that, derating is gradual: 153.6 A at 55 °C, 150.4 A at 60 °C, 147.2 A at 65 °C, and 144 A at 70 °C. If the panel runs hot — say a non-ventilated enclosure near a furnace line — you lose roughly 10 % of capacity at the top end. The operating temperature range is -25 °C to 70 °C, storage from -40 °C to 80 °C.
Integrated accessories and auxiliary wiring
This variant ships with a shunt trip (STL) undervoltage release design and two HQ auxiliary switches — the HQ designation means high-rupturing-capacity contacts rated for switching control loads directly without an interposing relay in many cases. The auxiliary trip module order code is 3VA9688-0BL32, which is the factory-integrated accessory that mates to the breaker's internal mechanism. No undervoltage release, no phase failure detection, no communication function, and no ground fault monitoring are included on this variant — it is a straight thermal-magnetic line protection breaker with shunt trip capability. The voltage trigger function is present, meaning the shunt trip can be wired to a remote pushbutton or safety relay for emergency off. Front IP40 protection covers the operator interface — suitable for dry indoor panel environments, not washdown areas. Mechanical endurance is rated at 15,000 operations, which is typical for an MCCB in distribution duty where it cycles rarely.
Panel fit and dimensions
Dimensions are 130 mm height, 76.2 mm width (standard 3-pole MCCB footprint), and 70 mm depth. The width matches the 3VA platform's 3-pole form factor — it occupies the same panel cutout as other 3VA three-pole breakers, so swapping between variants within the family requires no enclosure modification.