The Siemens SENTRON 3VA1132-5EF32-0BA0 is a 3-pole molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) rated for 32 A continuous current (Iu) with a TM240 thermal-magnetic release. It's configured for line protection — no communication module, no ground-fault monitoring, no auxiliary contacts on the base unit. The interrupting ratings are what make this part stand out: 187 kA at 240 V, 121 kA at 415 V, 75.6 kA at 440 V, and 17 kA at 690 V. That's a high-interrupting-capacity (HIC) variant, sized for transformer secondaries or large bus feeds where fault current runs hot.
Ratings and what they mean for fit
The 32 A rating holds flat from 40 °C up to 50 °C — no derating needed in a typical 40 °C panel. At 55 °C it drops to 30.72 A, and at 70 °C it's 28.8 A. If your enclosure runs hot, check the thermal curve; the breaker won't nuisance-trip, but it will carry less than the nameplate 32 A. The TM240 release means the thermal element is fixed at 32 A (the Iu rating) with a magnetic pickup at roughly 240 A (7.5x In). That's a standard motor-start or feeder profile — not a high-inrush application like a welding transformer, where you'd want a higher magnetic threshold. Rated insulation voltage is 800 V, so it's suitable for 690 V line-to-line systems (common in European industrial grids). The IP40 front protection means it's dust-protected on the face but not sealed against hose-down — standard for a panel-mounted MCCB.
Integration and panel fit
Footprint is 76.2 mm wide (roughly 3 inches), 130 mm tall, 70 mm deep. That's the standard 3-pole SENTRON 3VA1 frame size — drops into the same mounting cutout as the 3VA1112 and 3VA1110 siblings. No auxiliary contacts on the base unit; if you need a trip-indicator or alarm contact, the integrated auxiliary trip (order code 3VA9608-0BB11) is the add-on. An undervoltage release (UVR) is built in — it's the design of the auxiliary release on this variant. That means the breaker will trip if control voltage drops below the dropout threshold, which is common for emergency-stop or safety-shutdown circuits. No separate UVR module to buy and wire.