32 A, 4-pole MCCB with TM240 release — line protection for distribution panels
The Siemens 3VA1132-3GF42-0AA0 is a SENTRON molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) designed for line protection in low-voltage distribution. It carries a continuous 32 A rating on all four poles and uses a TM240 thermal-magnetic overcurrent release — the thermal element handles overloads up to 32 A without nuisance tripping, while the magnetic element clears short-circuit faults up to the breaker's interrupting capacity. Breaking capacity scales with system voltage: 75.6 kA at 240 V AC, 52.5 kA at 415 V AC, 32 kA at 440 V AC, and 11.9 kA at both 500 V and 690 V AC. That covers most industrial distribution levels — the 52.5 kA at 415 V is the figure to check for 400 V class panels common in European and Asian plants. Rated insulation voltage is 800 V, and the breaker is rated for continuous operation across -25 °C to 70 °C ambient. At 65 °C it still holds 30 A; only above 70 °C does it need to be derated below 30 A. The front face carries IP40 protection — fine for a clean indoor panel, not for washdown zones.
Panel integration and physical fit
The breaker measures 101.6 mm wide (4 in), 130 mm high (5.12 in), and 70 mm deep (2.76 in). Four-pole frame means it occupies the same panel footprint as a standard 4-pole MCCB — no unusual cutout or busbar spacing required. Maximum power loss is 10.6 W — negligible for thermal management in a standard distribution enclosure. No undervoltage release, no shunt trip, no communication module on this variant; it is a straight thermal-magnetic breaker with no auxiliaries.