What it is and what it does
The Siemens SENTRON 3VA1116-5EE32-0AG0 is a 3-pole molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) rated for 160 A continuous current, with a TM220 thermal-magnetic release — meaning it uses a bimetal element for overload protection and a magnetic coil for short-circuit interruption, both fixed-trip (non-adjustable for the thermal portion). Breaking capacity is 187 kA at 240 V, 121 kA at 415 V, 75.6 kA at 440 V, and 17 kA at 690 V — these are the maximum fault currents the breaker can safely interrupt at each voltage level, so for a 480 V panel the relevant figure is the 415 V or 440 V rating depending on the actual line-to-line voltage. Rated insulation voltage (Ui) is 800 V, which defines the maximum voltage the internal insulation can withstand continuously — important for verifying coordination with upstream switchgear in a 690 V system.
Thermal derating and ambient limits
The breaker carries its full 160 A from 40 °C through 50 °C ambient. Above that it derates: 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 the panel ambient runs hot — say near a drive stack — use the 55 °C or 60 °C column for sizing, not the 40 °C sticker. Operating temperature range is -25 °C to +70 °C; storage range is -40 °C to +80 °C. The storage limit governs handling and warehousing, not running conditions.
Physical fit and panel integration
Dimensions: 130 mm height, 76.2 mm width, 70 mm depth. The 70 mm depth is shallow enough for most 200 mm deep enclosures without crowding the gland plate; the 76.2 mm width (roughly 3 inches) fits a standard 3-pole MCCB footprint on a DIN rail or direct-mount backplate. Front protection is IP40 — splash-proof from the front but not sealed against hose-down. Suitable for indoor panel mounting; not for washdown zones without an additional enclosure.
Auxiliary contacts and release options
Comes with one auxiliary switch and one trip alarm switch (HP type) factory-fitted. No undervoltage release, no shunt trip, no ground-fault monitoring — those are separate add-on accessories if the application requires them. Trip indicator is present (mechanical flag on the front), and the latching endurance is rated at 15,000 operations — that's the mechanical life under no-load; electrical life will be lower and depends on the interrupted current.