Line protection MCCB with high interrupting capacity
The Siemens SENTRON 3VA1116-5EF36-0KH0 is a 3-pole molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) rated for line protection duty, carrying a continuous current of 160 A through the TM240 thermal-magnetic release. The 187 kA breaking capacity at 240 V and 121 kA at 415 V mean this breaker clears high-fault currents without cascading upstream — critical for main feeders or high-capacity distribution panels where the available fault current is substantial. At 690 V the interrupting rating drops to 17 kA, so verify the system voltage against the curve before specifying.
Thermal derating and ambient conditions
The 160 A rating holds flat from 40 °C through 50 °C ambient. Above that the derating curve steps down: 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, adjacent to a drive cabinet or in a non-conditioned enclosure — size the load to the derated figure, not the nameplate 160 A. Operating range spans -25 °C to 70 °C; storage extends from -40 °C to 80 °C.
Auxiliary contacts and shunt trip
This MCCB ships with 2 auxiliary switches plus 1 trip alarm switch (HQ type) integrated. The auxiliary release is a shunt trip (STL) — order code 3VA9688-0BL33 for the integrated auxiliary trip module if remote tripping is needed. No undervoltage release, no ground fault monitoring, no communication module on this variant. The front face carries IP40 protection, sufficient for enclosed panel mounting.