What the 160 A and 187 kA ratings mean for your panel
The Siemens 3VA1116-5ED36-0AA0 is a SENTRON molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) sized for line protection in distribution panels. Its 160 A frame carries a TM210 thermal-magnetic release — the thermal element handles overloads, the magnetic element clears short-circuits — and the 3-pole design fits three-phase feeders. The 187 kA breaking capacity at 240 V tells you this breaker can safely interrupt a fault current up to that level without welding its contacts or cascading failure upstream; at 415 V it still holds 121 kA, and at 690 V it's rated 17 kA. That kind of SCCR headroom matters when you're coordinating with a transformer or a high-capacity bus. The rated insulation voltage is 800 V, so the breaker is electrically rated for 690 V systems with margin. Power loss at rated load is 38 W — a figure to factor into enclosure thermal calculations if you're packing multiple breakers in a confined panel.
Current derating — the real-world ampacity
The 160 A rating holds from 40 °C through 50 °C ambient. At 55 °C it derates to 158 A, at 60 °C to 155 A, at 65 °C to 153 A, and at 70 °C to 150 A. If your panel ambient runs above 50 °C — say a non-air-conditioned electrical room in a process plant — use the 150 A figure at 70 °C for your load calculation. The operating temperature range is -25 °C to 70 °C; storage range is -40 °C to 80 °C.
Physical fit and panel integration
Dimensions are 130 mm height, 76.2 mm width, 70 mm depth. The 3-pole footprint matches standard Siemens SENTRON 3VA mounting — it bolts into the same bus-bar and lug kit pattern as other 160 A frames in the series. Front protection is IP40, so it's suited for enclosed distribution boards where tools or fingers won't contact live parts through the front cover.