What it is and what it does
The Siemens SENTRON 3VA1132-3EF36-0AD0 is a 3-pole molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) designed for line protection — the primary job is clearing overcurrents and short-circuits on distribution feeders or branch circuits in industrial panels. Rated 32 A continuously at 40 °C ambient, it holds that rating through 50 °C before derating to 31 A at 55 °C and 30 A at 70 °C — so in a warm enclosure you lose only 2 A over the full operating range. Breaking capacity is 75.6 kA at 240 V, 52.5 kA at 415 V, 32 kA at 440 V, and 11.9 kA at 500 V / 690 V — that 75.6 kA figure at 240 V means it handles high available fault current on low-voltage distribution without cascading upstream.
Ratings that decide fit
The TM240 overcurrent release is a thermal-magnetic trip — the thermal element tracks load current for overload protection, the magnetic element reacts instantaneously to short-circuits. No undervoltage release, no ground-fault monitoring, no communication module on this variant, so it's a straight line-protection device with no auxiliary functions. Insulation voltage rated 800 V, so it's safe for 690 V systems with margin. Power loss max 10.6 W — negligible for panel thermal budgeting. Dimensions: 70 mm deep, 76.2 mm wide, 130 mm high. That 76.2 mm width (3 in) is the standard 3-pole MCCB footprint for this SENTRON frame — it fits existing panel cutouts and busbar spacing for the 3VA series.
Where it goes in the panel
Mounts on DIN rail or direct panel-mount via the base — the 3VA frame uses the same cutout as earlier SENTRON 3VL breakers, so a panel designed for 3VL accepts this without rewiring. Three auxiliary switches (HQ type) are integrated; no trip indicator on the front.