160 A MCCB with Shunt Trip — Line Protection for High-Fault Panels
The Siemens 3VA1116-6EF36-0KA0 is a 3-pole SENTRON molded case circuit breaker rated 160 A continuous at 40 °C through 50 °C, with a TM240 thermal-magnetic release and an integrated shunt trip (STL) for remote tripping. Breaking capacity hits 220 kA at 240 V and 154 kA at 415 V, making it suited for high-fault-current main breakers or feeder protection in industrial switchboards. The 800 V rated insulation voltage gives headroom for 480 V or 600 V class systems without derating the insulation path.
Breaking Capacity and Coordination
At 440 V the breaker still clears 75.6 kA, and at 500 V and 690 V it holds 17 kA — that SCCR curve covers most industrial distribution voltages. The TM240 release is fixed thermal-magnetic, not electronic, so coordination studies should use the manufacturer's time-current curves for selective tripping with downstream breakers. No undervoltage release or ground-fault monitoring on this variant; the shunt trip is the only auxiliary release fitted.
Thermal Derating and Power Loss
The 160 A rating holds flat from 40 °C to 50 °C ambient, then derates to 150 A at 70 °C — useful when the breaker is inside a warm enclosure or near other heat sources. Maximum power loss is 38 W at rated load, which matters for enclosure thermal calculations in a multi-breaker panel. Operating range is -25 °C to 70 °C; storage range is -40 °C to 80 °C.
Physical Fit and Panel Integration
Dimensions are 130 mm height, 76.2 mm width, 70 mm depth — standard 3-pole MCCB footprint for DIN-rail or panel-mount installation. The 3-pole block occupies three modular 25.4 mm spaces on a DIN rail. No trip indicator on the front face; the shunt trip coil requires a separate control signal for remote opening.