What This MCCB Does and Where It Fits
The Siemens 3VA1116-4EF32-0AH0 is a 3-pole SENTRON molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) designed for line protection in distribution panels. It carries a TM240 thermal-magnetic overcurrent release, meaning the thermal element is fixed at 160 A and the magnetic trip is set at 240 A — a common pairing for feeding downstream sub-distribution or a heavy motor control center. Rated 160 A continuously at 40 °C ambient, it derates slightly as the panel warms: 158 A at 55 °C, 155 A at 60 °C, 153 A at 65 °C, and 150 A at 70 °C. That thermal profile matters if this breaker sits in a non-ventilated enclosure near other heat sources — the 70 °C rating is what governs a hot panel. Breaking capacity is stated per voltage: 121 kA at 240 V, 75.6 kA at 415 V, 52.5 kA at 440 V, and 11.9 kA at both 500 V and 690 V. For a 480 V North American panel, the 52.5 kA at 440 V is the closest published figure — adequate for most industrial service-entrance or feeder duty where the available fault current is under 50 kA.
Mounting and Integration
Dimensions are 130 mm height, 76.2 mm width, and 70 mm depth — a compact 3-pole footprint that fits standard SENTRON mounting plates and busbar systems. Panel cut-out and busbar spacing match the 3VA family, so a drop-in replacement for an existing 3VA breaker of the same frame size requires no re-drilling or re-busing. The auxiliary switch block is factory-configured as 2 auxiliary switches plus 1 trip alarm switch (HQ designation). That gives three discrete signals: one for breaker open/closed status, one for the spring-charged mechanism, and one dedicated to trip indication — enough for a PLC to distinguish a manual open from a fault trip without additional wiring. Rated insulation voltage is 800 V, and the maximum power loss at rated current is 38 W. That heat must be considered in the enclosure thermal calculation — 38 W is not trivial in a sealed cabinet.