The Siemens SENTRON 3VA1116-6EF36-0BC0 is a 3-pole molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) rated for 160 A continuous current at 40 °C, with a TM240 thermal-magnetic overcurrent release. Its interrupting capacity hits 220 kA at 240 V, 154 kA at 415 V, and 75.6 kA at 440 V — numbers that matter when you're coordinating selectivity downstream of a transformer or tying into a high-fault utility feed. The 800 V rated insulation voltage (Ui) tells you it's comfortable in 480 V and 600 V class panels with headroom.
Ratings and what they mean for fit
The 160 A rating holds flat from 40 °C through 50 °C — no derating in that band — then tapers to 144 A at 70 °C. That thermal curve is the real selection gate: if your panel ambient runs 55 °C, you're at 153.6 A continuous, not 160 A. The TM240 release means the thermal element is calibrated for a 240 A frame, so the breaker can be swapped to a higher rating later without changing the entire unit. The 220 kA at 240 V is the headline number for 240 V delta services; at 690 V it still manages 17 kA, which covers most motor branch circuits.
Panel fit and integration
The breaker measures 76.2 mm wide by 130 mm tall by 70 mm deep — standard 3-pole MCCB footprint for a 160 A frame. It carries IP40 on the front, so it's panel-front rated but not washdown; keep it behind a sealed enclosure door in wet environments. The auxiliary contact version is 2 HQ switches, and the undervoltage release (UVR) is built in — that UVR coil needs to see rated voltage to keep the breaker closed; plan your control power accordingly. No communication function, no ground fault monitoring, no phase failure detection on this variant — it's a pure line-protection device.