The Siemens SENTRON 3VA1116-3EF36-0HA0 is a 3-pole molded case circuit breaker rated for 160 A continuous current, with a TM240 thermal-magnetic overcurrent release and an integrated shunt trip (STL) for remote tripping. It's configured as a line protection device — meaning it protects feeders and distribution circuits, not motor loads directly. Interrupting capacity hits 75.6 kA at 240 V, dropping to 52.5 kA at 415 V and 32 kA at 440 V — still substantial for most industrial distribution panels. At 690 V it holds 10.5 kA, which covers the high-voltage end of common IEC installations. The 160 A rating holds steady from 40 °C up through 50 °C ambient, then derates 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 runs hot, that derating curve is the real limit — not the nameplate 160 A.
Sizing and fit in the panel
Dimensions are 70 mm deep, 76.2 mm wide, 130 mm tall — a standard 3-pole MCCB footprint for DIN-rail or screw-mount panels. The IP40 front protection means it's fine inside a closed cabinet but not for wet or dusty environments without an enclosure. Rated insulation voltage is 800 V, so it's comfortable on 400 V and 480 V systems with margin. The shunt trip (STL) allows an external undervoltage or remote trip signal; the auxiliary trip order code 3VA9688-0BL30 is listed separately if you need that function. No auxiliary contacts come fitted — order them separately if you need status feedback to a PLC or indication lamp. Latching endurance is rated at 15,000 cycles, which is typical for distribution breakers not cycled daily.
Lifecycle and sourcing
For a BOM freeze or second-source gate, the closest functional peer is the 3VA1010-2ED32-0JA0 — a smaller-frame SENTRON MCCB. That unit will not drop into the same panel footprint without checking the mounting dimensions and bus bar spacing; the 3VA1116 frame is physically larger to handle the 160 A continuous rating.
Operating range and environment
Operating temperature spans -25 °C to 70 °C; storage range is -40 °C to 80 °C. The storage limit governs handling and warehousing, not running conditions. No phase failure detection, no communication function, no ground fault monitoring built in — this is a straight thermal-magnetic breaker with shunt trip.