What this MCCB brings to the panel
The Siemens 3VA1116-6EF32-0AE0 is a SENTRON molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) built for line protection — the primary feed breaker in a distribution panel or a branch feeder. Rated 160 A continuous at 40 °C with a TM240 thermal-magnetic release, it holds steady through motor inrush and clears a fault fast when the magnetic trip sees a short. Breaking capacity hits 220 kA at 240 V, 154 kA at 415 V, and still carries 17 kA at 690 V — enough for high-fault industrial services without cascading upstream. Three-pole, no undervoltage release, no ground-fault module, no communication function. Insulation voltage rated 800 V. Dimensions are 130 mm high, 76.2 mm wide, 70 mm deep — a standard 3-pole MCCB footprint for a SENTRON panel. Power loss at full load is 38 W; plan the thermal budget in a sealed enclosure accordingly.
What the ratings mean for fit
The 160 A rating at 40 °C is the continuous current the breaker carries without tripping. Derate as ambient climbs: 158 A at 55 °C, 155 A at 60 °C, 153 A at 65 °C, 150 A at 70 °C. If your panel ambient runs 50 °C, you still get the full 160 A — no derate needed until 55 °C. Breaking capacity of 220 kA at 240 V means this breaker can safely interrupt a fault current up to 220,000 A at that voltage without welding contacts or venting arc. At 415 V the rating drops to 154 kA, at 440 V to 75.6 kA, at 500 V and 690 V to 17 kA. Match the available fault current at your service voltage — if your system is 480 V with 65 kA available, this breaker covers it. The TM240 release is a thermal-magnetic type with a 240 A frame. The thermal element is set for 160 A; the magnetic pickup is factory-fixed. No adjustment dial — this is a fixed-trip breaker. If you need adjustable thermal or magnetic settings, look at the electronic-trip variants in the 3VA1 family.
Where it lands in the SENTRON family
The 3VA1116-6EF32-0AE0 sits in the 3VA1 line — the compact, fixed-trip MCCB series from Siemens. It replaces the older 3VL series in new builds. The 3VA1 shares the same mounting footprint and bus-bar pattern as the 3VA1 electronic-trip breakers, so a panel designed for a 3VA1 frame accepts this breaker without drilling or adapter plates. Auxiliary switch provision: the breaker accepts up to 4 auxiliary switches (HQ type) for remote status indication. The basic switch supplied is order code 3VA11166EF320AA0. No voltage-trip or shunt-trip accessory fitted from factory — those are field-addable.