160 A MCCB with 121 kA interrupting capacity at 240 V
The Siemens SENTRON 3VA1116-4EE32-0AA0 is a 3-pole molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) rated for line-protection duty, carrying a continuous current of 160 A at 40 °C and delivering a short-circuit breaking capacity of 121 kA at 240 V AC. That interrupting rating drops to 75.6 kA at 415 V and 52.5 kA at 440 V, still well above typical industrial service-entrance or distribution-panel fault levels. The TM220 thermal-magnetic release provides fixed thermal and magnetic trip settings — no adjustment dials, which simplifies specification but means the breaker is matched to a specific load current at order time.
Current derating and thermal management
Rated current holds at 160 A from 40 °C through 50 °C ambient, then derates to 158 A at 55 °C, 155 A at 60 °C, 153 A at 65 °C, and 150 A at 70 °C. Maximum power loss is 38 W. In a sealed or high-fill-factor panel, that derating curve matters — a breaker mounted next to other heat sources may need to be loaded below its nameplate to stay within the thermal trip curve. The IP40 front protection means the breaker face is protected against tools and small solids but not against moisture; it belongs in an enclosure, not exposed on a washdown line.
Panel fit — dimensions and integration
The breaker measures 130 mm high, 76.2 mm wide, and 70 mm deep — a 3-pole footprint that fits standard Siemens SENTRON mounting patterns. No undervoltage release, no communication module, no ground-fault monitoring on this variant; it is a straight line-protection device with a TM220 thermal-magnetic trip unit. For a panel that was originally specified around the 3VA1112-5EE32-0AA0, the 160 A frame shares the same 3-pole width and mounting hole pattern, so it drops into the same bus-bar arrangement without rewiring — the difference is the current rating and the trip curve, not the mechanical interface.