160 A MCCB with 187 kA interrupting capacity — what the ratings mean for panel fit
The Siemens SENTRON 3VA1116-5EF36-0AD0 is a 3-pole molded case circuit breaker rated for 160 A continuous current (Iu) with a TM240 thermal-magnetic overcurrent release. The interrupting capacity scales with system voltage: 187 kA at 240 V, 121 kA at 415 V, 75.6 kA at 440 V, and 17 kA at 690 V. That 187 kA figure at 240 V means it handles high-fault scenarios common on the secondary side of distribution transformers without needing a current-limiting upstream device. The TM240 release gives a fixed thermal pickup and magnetic trip threshold — no interchangeable rating plugs, so the breaker is sized to the load from the start. Physical footprint: 130 mm tall, 76.2 mm wide, 70 mm deep. The 76.2 mm width (three 25.4 mm pole spacings) matches standard SENTRON 3VA panel cutouts and busbar centers. IP40 on the front means it's protected against tools and wires >1 mm — fine for enclosed switchboards, but not for washdown areas.
Active production — no LTB pressure on this BOM line
Auxiliary contact block is factory-fitted: three HQ auxiliary switches. That's a 3NO+0NC or 2NO+1NC arrangement depending on wiring — enough for status feedback to a PLC and a remote trip indication without adding a separate aux module. No undervoltage release, no shunt trip, no ground-fault monitoring on this variant.
Thermal derating and ambient limits
Rated 160 A continuous from 40 °C through 50 °C ambient. Above 55 °C it derates linearly: 153.6 A at 55 °C, 150.4 A at 60 °C, 147.2 A at 65 °C, 144 A at 70 °C. Operating ambient range is -25 °C to +70 °C; storage range is -40 °C to +80 °C. If the panel internal ambient hits 60 °C near the top of a sealed enclosure, the breaker still carries 150 A — that's the figure to use for the thermal coordination study, not the 160 A nameplate. Rated insulation voltage Ui is 800 V, so the breaker is suitable for 690 V line-to-line systems with margin. Mechanical endurance is 15,000 operations — typical for a distribution MCCB that cycles a few times a year, not a motor-switching contactor that cycles daily.
Sourcing and availability
This is a current-production, widely stocked SENTRON catalog item. Sourced and quoted to order against an RFQ through independent distribution channels. Availability and current pricing confirmed at quote time — no minimum order quantity restrictions typical of factory-direct LTB programs.