Key ratings and what they mean for fit
The Siemens 3VA1116-4EF36-0CA0 is a 3-pole SENTRON molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) rated for line protection. Its rated continuous current Iu is 160 A, and the interrupting capacity reaches 121 kA at 240 V, 75.6 kA at 415 V, 52.5 kA at 440 V, and 11.9 kA at 690 V. These ratings mean the breaker can safely clear high-fault currents on a 240 V or 415 V distribution bus without upstream coordination issues — the 121 kA figure at 240 V is well above typical utility fault levels, so it handles worst-case bolted faults in most industrial panels. For a 690 V motor circuit, the 11.9 kA rating still covers standard transformer-limited faults. The TM240 overcurrent release provides fixed thermal-magnetic protection: thermal for overloads, magnetic for short-circuits. The breaker also includes an undervoltage release (UVR) — when control voltage drops below the dropout threshold, the UVR trips the breaker, which is standard for safety interlocks or emergency-stop circuits that need to de-energize a load on loss of control power. Thermal derating is minimal up to 50 °C — the breaker carries 160 A at 40 °C, 45 °C, and 50 °C (–). Above that, it derates to 153.6 A at 55 °C, 150.4 A at 60 °C, 147.2 A at 65 °C, and 144 A at 70 °C. If your panel ambient runs above 50 °C, size the load side for the derated current, not the 160 A nameplate.
Integration and mounting
The breaker occupies a 76.2 mm wide, 130 mm high, 70 mm deep footprint — standard 3-pole MCCB envelope for a 160 A frame. It mounts on a DIN rail or panel base; the IP40 front protection means the front face is protected against tools and small wires, but the terminals are not sealed against water ingress — install in a clean, dry enclosure. Mechanical endurance is rated at 15,000 operations, suitable for frequent switching in a distribution panel.