What this MCCB delivers — and where the ratings matter
The Siemens SENTRON 3VA1116-3EF36-0AF0 is a 3-pole molded case circuit breaker rated for 160 A continuous current (Iu) with a TM240 thermal-magnetic overcurrent release. This is the line protection version — no undervoltage release, no ground-fault monitoring, no communication module. It is built for straightforward overcurrent and short-circuit protection in distribution panels where you need a clean, no-frills MCCB that still carries serious breaking capacity. Breaking capacity is the headline here: 75.6 kA at 240 V, 52.5 kA at 415 V, 32 kA at 440 V, and 10.5 kA at 690 V. That 75.6 kA at 240 V is well above typical utility fault levels for North American 240/120 V split-phase or 240 V delta services — it gives you headroom for high-fault panels without cascading upstream. At 415 V, the 52.5 kA rating covers most European industrial distribution busbars where the prospective short-circuit current sits around 25–50 kA. Temperature derating is published across the full operating range: the breaker holds 160 A from 40 °C through 50 °C, then steps down to 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 your panel ambient runs hot — say a sealed enclosure near a furnace line or a roof-mounted cabinet in summer — the 55 °C derating to 153.6 A is the figure to size against, not the 160 A nameplate.
Lifecycle and sourcing posture
The auxiliary contact configuration is 1 auxiliary switch plus 1 trip alarm switch (HQ version). That gives you one N.O./N.C. set for status feedback and a separate alarm contact that changes state only when the breaker trips on fault — useful for remote indication or PLC input without needing an external trip relay.
Panel fit and integration
Dimensions are 130 mm height, 76.2 mm width, 70 mm depth. The 76.2 mm width is a standard 3-pole MCCB footprint — it fits Siemens SENTRON 3VA mounting bases and busbar systems without adapters. Front IP40 protection means it is splash-safe in a closed panel but not rated for washdown environments. Rated insulation voltage is 800 V, so it can be used in 690 V systems with full coordination. The TM240 release is adjustable for the thermal trip time (tr max. setting available), giving some flexibility to coordinate with downstream breakers or motor starters without changing the trip unit.