What this MCCB delivers — and where the ratings matter
The Siemens SENTRON 3VA1116-5ED32-0JA0 is a 3-pole molded case circuit breaker rated for 160 A continuous current (Iu) with a TM210 thermal-magnetic overcurrent release. It is built for line protection — meaning it guards feeders and distribution circuits, not motor loads — and carries a rated insulation voltage of 800 V, so it is comfortable in 400 V and 480 V panels with headroom to spare. The interrupting capacity tells the real story: 187 kA at 240 V AC, 121 kA at 415 V, 75.6 kA at 440 V, and 17 kA at 690 V. That 187 kA figure at 240 V is exceptionally high — this breaker can sit upstream of a large transformer or a high-fault industrial service without needing a current-limiting fuse ahead of it. At 415 V, the 121 kA rating still covers most heavy industrial switchboards. Current derating is published across the operating temperature range: full 160 A up to 50 °C, then a gentle roll-off 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, the 160 A nameplate is not the number to size against — use the derated value for that compartment temperature.
Sourcing and lifecycle — still in active production
The breaker ships with a factory-fitted shunt trip (STL) release, order code 3VA9688-0BL32, for remote tripping. No auxiliary contacts, no undervoltage release, no communication module — this is a straightforward line-protection MCCB with a remote-trip option built in.
Panel fit and integration
Footprint is 76.2 mm wide (3-pole), 130 mm tall, and 70 mm deep — a compact three-module width for a 160 A frame. The front face carries IP40 protection, so it is suited for standard enclosed panel mounting where tools or fingers do not contact live parts. Operating temperature range is -25 °C to 70 °C; storage range is -40 °C to 80 °C. No phase-failure detection, no ground-fault monitoring, no communication function — this is a pure overcurrent and short-circuit protective device. If your application requires those extras, you would step up to a 3VA1 with the electronic release (ETU) or add external modules.