What this MCCB does on the line side
The Siemens SENTRON 3VA1116-4EF36-0AG0 is a 3-pole molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) rated 160 A at 40 °C, designed for line protection — meaning it sits at the feeder or main distribution point, not downstream on a specific machine load. With a 121 kA interrupting capacity at 240 V and 75.6 kA at 415 V, it handles high-fault scenarios like transformer secondaries or large busway feeds without needing a current-limiting fuse upstream. The TM240 thermal-magnetic release gives you the fixed thermal pickup and magnetic trip tailored for cable and bus protection rather than motor starting.
Interrupting capacity — what those kA numbers actually mean for coordination
This breaker carries a 121 kA interrupting rating 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 (–). At 240 V, that 121 kA covers almost any North American low-voltage fault — you can land this on a 2500 kVA transformer secondary without worrying about the breaker becoming the weak link. At 690 V, the 11.9 kA is modest; if your plant runs 690 V distribution with high fault current, you will need to verify coordination with upstream current-limiting fuses or a higher-rated frame. The 800 V rated insulation voltage confirms the internal clearance and creepage are there for 690 V operation, but the interrupting capacity at that voltage is the hard limit.
Thermal derating — 160 A is the baseline, but watch the ambient
The 160 A rating holds from 40 °C through 50 °C (–). At 55 °C it drops to 158 A, at 60 °C to 155 A, at 65 °C to 153 A, and at 70 °C to 150 A (–). If this breaker lands in a non-air-conditioned electrical room or a panel with dense heat dissipation, the 150 A floor at 70 °C still leaves headroom for a 150 A feeder. The maximum power loss is 38 W — that is the heat the breaker dumps into the enclosure at full load, so factor it into your panel thermal calculation if you are stacking several MCCBs in a small cabinet.
Physical fit — dimensions and mounting
The breaker measures 70 mm deep, 76.2 mm wide, and 130 mm high (–). That 76.2 mm width (3 inches) is the standard 3-pole MCCB footprint for this SENTRON frame size — it fits the same panel cutouts and bus-bar spacing as other 160 A SENTRON units. The 70 mm depth is shallow enough for most 200 mm deep enclosures, but check your door clearance if you are retrofitting into a panel with a rotary handle mechanism.