What it is and what it does
The Siemens SENTRON 3VA1116-6EF36-0CH0 is a 3-pole molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) rated for line protection, carrying 160 A continuously at 40 °C ambient without derating. Its interrupting capacity hits 220 kA at 240 V AC, dropping to 154 kA at 415 V, 75.6 kA at 440 V, and 17 kA at both 500 V and 690 V — numbers that tell you it handles high-fault utility feeds or transformer secondaries where available fault current is substantial. The 800 V rated insulation voltage confirms it's built for 690 V systems with margin.
What the ratings mean for fit
The 160 A continuous rating holds flat from 40 °C through 50 °C (–), then gently tapers to 150 A at 70 °C. That's a thermal curve you can trust in a warm panel — no surprise derating at 45 °C. The 3-pole frame suits three-phase feeders, and the line-protection design means the trip curve is optimized for cable and busbar protection, not motor start-up. An undervoltage release (UVR) is built in, so the breaker drops out on loss of control voltage — standard for safety circuits that need to prevent automatic restart after a dip. The auxiliary switch complement gives two auxiliary switches plus a separate trip alarm switch, enough to signal status back to a PLC or annunciator without adding external relays.
Where it goes in the panel
The 3VA1116-6EF36-0CH0 mounts on a DIN rail or can be screw-fixed to a backplate. Dimensions are 130 mm high, 76.2 mm wide, 70 mm deep — a standard MCCB footprint that fits most distribution boards. Maximum power loss is 40.5 W, so factor that into enclosure heat calculations if you're packing several breakers in a sealed cabinet.