MCCB for high-fault panel feeders
The Siemens SENTRON 3VA1116-5EF36-0CC0 is a 3-pole molded case circuit breaker rated for 160 A continuous current (Iu) with a TM240 thermal-magnetic release — meaning the thermal element tracks load heating for overload protection, and the magnetic trip handles short-circuit events. The 187 kA breaking capacity at 240 V and 121 kA at 415 V give it headroom on high-fault panels where upstream transformer or generator capacity pushes available fault current above typical 65 kA or 100 kA MCCB ratings. The undervoltage release (UVR) integrated as the auxiliary release trips the breaker when control voltage drops, which is common in emergency-stop or safety-shutdown circuits where loss of control power must open the feeder.
Sizing and thermal derating
The breaker carries its full 160 A rating up to 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 a non-climate-controlled enclosure near a furnace line — the 55 °C derating to 153.6 A is the figure to size the downstream load against, not the 160 A nameplate. The operating temperature range is -25 °C to 70 °C; storage range is -40 °C to 80 °C.
Breaking capacity across voltage levels
The 3VA1116-5EF36-0CC0 delivers 187 kA at 240 V, 121 kA at 415 V, 75.6 kA at 440 V, and 17 kA at 690 V. The 690 V figure is the one to check for 600 V class industrial systems in North America or 690 V marine/offshore installations — 17 kA is adequate for most secondary distribution but may not cover a high-fault main tie. The rated insulation voltage Ui is 800 V, so the breaker is rated for the 690 V system voltage.
Auxiliary contacts and release options
This variant ships with two auxiliary switches (HQ type) and an integrated undervoltage release (UVR). The auxiliary contacts provide status feedback — open/closed indication to a PLC or remote I/O. The UVR is wired to a separate control voltage; if that voltage drops below the dropout threshold, the breaker trips. There is no voltage trigger, no communication function, no phase failure detection, and no ground fault monitoring on this version. The auxiliary release order code for the UVR is 3VA9608-0BB24.
Mounting and integration
The breaker measures 130 mm high, 76.2 mm wide, and 70 mm deep. It mounts on a DIN rail or directly to a backplate via the screw terminals. The IP40 front protection means it is suitable for enclosed panel mounting — no washdown or outdoor exposure without an additional enclosure. The 3-pole design handles three-phase feeders; the line protection version is intended for cable and busbar protection, not motor overload duty (that would require a separate overload relay or a motor-protective MCCB variant).