160 A MCCB with TM240 release — line protection for distribution panels
The Siemens SENTRON 3VA1116-3EF36-0JA0 is a 3-pole molded case circuit breaker rated for 160 A continuous current (Iu) at 40 °C, with the TM240 thermal-magnetic overcurrent release. The TM240 designation means the thermal trip element is calibrated for a 240 A frame, but the breaker's continuous rating is set at 160 A — so the trip curve starts its thermal bend above 160 A, not 240 A. This is a line protection version, meaning it's intended for feeder and main distribution duty, not motor branch-circuit protection where a separate overload relay would be required. Breaking capacity is specified at four voltage levels: 75.6 kA at 240 V, 52.5 kA at 415 V, 32 kA at 440 V, and 10.5 kA at 690 V. For a 160 A frame, the 52.5 kA at 415 V is the figure that governs most 400 V-class industrial distribution panels — it tells you the breaker can safely interrupt a fault up to that current without welding contacts or venting arc gas into the enclosure. The 690 V rating (10.5 kA) covers the less common 690 V line-to-line systems found in mining or marine installations. The breaker includes a shunt trip release (STL) as the auxiliary release design, which allows remote tripping via a control voltage — useful for emergency-stop circuits or supervisory shutdown sequences. The integrated auxiliary trip order code is 3VA9688-0BL32, which is the specific shunt trip module that mates with this breaker frame. No undervoltage release, no auxiliary contacts, no communication function, and no ground-fault monitoring are fitted on this variant.
Current derating and thermal limits
The 160 A rating holds from 40 °C through 50 °C ambient. At 55 °C it derates to 153.6 A, at 60 °C to 150.4 A, at 65 °C to 147.2 A, and at 70 °C to 144 A (–). The operating temperature range is -25 °C to +70 °C; storage range is -40 °C to +80 °C. The IP40 front protection means the breaker face is protected against solid objects over 1 mm — typical for a panel-mounted device where the enclosure provides the overall IP rating.
Physical footprint and panel integration
Dimensions: 130 mm height, 76.2 mm width, 70 mm depth. The 76.2 mm width (3 inches) is the standard 3-pole MCCB footprint for this current class — it fits the same panel cutout as other 160 A 3-pole SENTRON breakers. The 70 mm depth includes the arc chamber and terminal space; verify clearance behind the panel for the shunt trip wiring and any auxiliary modules you add.