Line protection MCCB with thermal-magnetic trip
The Siemens 3VA1116-4EF36-0AC0 is a SENTRON molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) configured for line protection — meaning it guards feeders and distribution circuits against overload and short-circuit, not motor or generator duty. Its TM240 thermal-magnetic release gives a fixed thermal pickup at 160 A continuous (Iu) with an adjustable short-time delay tr max of 1 s, per the datasheet. The interrupting ratings are what drive the panel coordination: 121 kA at 240 V, 75.6 kA at 415 V, 52.5 kA at 440 V, and 11.9 kA at 690 V. That 121 kA figure at 240 V is the headline — it tells you this breaker can sit on a high-fault transformer secondary without cascading upstream.
Current derating and thermal curve
The 160 A continuous rating holds flat from 40 °C through 50 °C. Above that, the thermal curve steps down: 153.6 A at 55 °C, 150.4 A at 60 °C, 147.2 A at 65 °C, and 144 A at 70 °C. That 10 % drop from 50 °C to 70 °C is within the expected bimetallic derating for a 160 A frame — the TM240 release is calibrated for the 40 °C reference, so an ambient above that shifts the trip point. If the panel ambient runs at 60 °C, the effective continuous current is 150.4 A, not 160 A. The operating temperature range is -25 °C to 70 °C; storage range is -40 °C to 80 °C.
Physical fit and auxiliary contacts
The 3VA1116-4EF36-0AC0 measures 76.2 mm wide, 130 mm high, and 70 mm deep. That 76.2 mm width is three 25.4 mm pole pitches — standard for a 3-pole MCCB in this frame size. It carries two HQ auxiliary switches (form C, high-quantity switching) as factory-installed contacts, not field-added. No undervoltage release, no shunt trip, no ground-fault module, no communication function — this is a bare line-protection breaker with aux contacts only. The front face is IP40, so it's protected against tools and wires >1 mm, but not against water ingress; mount it inside a panel.