What this MCCB delivers — and what it's built for
The Siemens 3VA1116-6EF32-0AA0 is a 3-pole SENTRON molded case circuit breaker rated for 160 A continuous at 40 °C, with a TM240 thermal-magnetic overcurrent release designed for line protection. The interrupting rating hits 220 kA at 240 V — that's the short-circuit capacity that governs its use in high-fault panels. At 415 V it still clears 154 kA, and at 690 V it holds 17 kA. If you're specifying into a 480 V distribution board, the 75.6 kA at 440 V is the closest published figure; the part is built for industrial main feeders and large subfeeds where available fault current runs high.
Ratings that decide the fit
The 160 A rating holds flat from 40 °C to 50 °C — no derating needed in a warm enclosure. At 55 °C it drops to 158 A, at 60 °C to 155 A, at 65 °C to 153 A, and at 70 °C to 150 A. That's a derating curve you can budget for. The TM240 release means the thermal element is calibrated for a 240 A frame; the magnetic pickup is fixed within that design. No undervoltage release, no shunt trip, no communication module — this is a bare-line MCCB for straightforward overcurrent protection. The front face carries IP40 protection class, so it's suited for enclosed panels, not open washdown areas.
Panel fit and integration
Dimensions are 70 mm deep, 76.2 mm wide, 130 mm high — a standard 3-pole MCCB footprint for DIN-rail or direct-mount panel integration. The 3VA series uses a common mounting pattern across the family, so swapping between current ratings within the same frame size doesn't require re-drilling the subplate. The 38 W maximum power loss at rated current means the heat load is modest; still, leave breathing space between adjacent breakers in a multi-unit lineup.