What this MCCB carries — and what it means for your panel
The Siemens SENTRON 3VA1116-6EF32-0AB0 is a 3-pole molded case circuit breaker rated for 160 A continuous current (Iu) at 40 °C, with a TM240 thermal-magnetic overcurrent release. The 220 kA breaking capacity at 240 V AC means it can interrupt a fault current that high without upstream fuses or a bigger breaker — useful for high-fault panels near transformers or in industrial mains. At 415 V it still holds 154 kA, and at 440 V it drops to 75.6 kA; at 690 V it's 17 kA. That's a lot of headroom for most line-side applications.
Thermal derating and the real ampacity
The 160 A rating holds steady from 40 °C up to 50 °C. At 55 °C it derates to 153.6 A, at 60 °C to 150.4 A, at 65 °C to 147.2 A, and at 70 °C to 144 A. If your panel ambient runs hot — say near a drive cabinet or in a non-climate-controlled enclosure — the 70 °C figure is the one to size against. The TM240 release is adjustable for the thermal trip time (tr max. 1 s), so you can fine-tune coordination with downstream breakers.
Footprint and panel fit
The 3VA1116-6EF32-0AB0 measures 130 mm high, 76.2 mm wide, and 70 mm deep. That 70 mm depth is shallow enough for most standard distribution boards and motor control centers — no need to oversize the enclosure for a deep breaker. The IP40 front protection means it's splash-safe on the face but not sealed for washdown; it belongs in a dry indoor panel.