32 A MCCB with 187 kA interrupting capacity
The Siemens SENTRON 3VA1132-5EF32-0KC0 is a 3-pole molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) rated for a continuous current of 32 A at 40 °C, with a TM240 thermal-magnetic overcurrent release. Its headline breaking capacity hits 187 kA at 240 V AC — that is the fault current it can safely interrupt without welding contacts or rupturing the case, which matters when you are coordinating downstream devices on a high-capacity transformer secondary. At 415 V the interrupting rating is 121 kA, at 440 V it is 75.6 kA, and at 690 V it drops to 17 kA — the voltage derating is steep, so verify the line-to-line voltage at the point of installation. The rated insulation voltage is 800 V, giving headroom for 480 V or 600 V class systems. This is a line-protection version (not a motor-protection or ground-fault unit), so it is sized for feeder or branch-circuit protection in distribution panels. The front face carries IP40 protection — fine for a dry indoor enclosure; not rated for washdown.
Thermal derating and ambient limits
The 32 A rating holds flat from 40 °C through 50 °C. Above that it begins to step down: 30.72 A at 55 °C, 30.08 A at 60 °C, 29.44 A at 65 °C, and 28.8 A at 70 °C. If the panel ambient runs hot, size the upstream conductor for the derated value, not the nameplate 32 A. Operating temperature range is -25 °C to 70 °C; storage range is -40 °C to 80 °C. The storage limit governs handling and warehousing — the breaker can sit in a cold warehouse but must be at operating temperature before being loaded.
Auxiliary contacts and shunt trip
Factory-fitted with 2 auxiliary switches (HQ type) and a shunt trip (STL) release. The shunt trip allows remote tripping via a control signal — useful for emergency-stop circuits or interlocking. The auxiliary switches provide status feedback (open/closed) to a PLC or indicator lamp. No undervoltage release is fitted, and there is no communication module or phase-failure detection on this variant. The integrated auxiliary trip uses order code 3VA9688-0BL33 — if you need a replacement or spare trip unit, that is the part number to cross-reference.
Lifecycle and sourcing
The lifecycle stage is marked as current — meaning this is an active catalog item from Siemens, not a phase-out or obsolete line. It is sourced through independent distribution channels and quoted to order against an RFQ. Availability and current pricing are confirmed at quote time.
Panel fit and dimensions
Dimensions are 76.2 mm wide, 130 mm tall, and 70 mm deep. The 76.2 mm width is a standard 3-pole MCCB footprint. Latching endurance is rated at 15,000 operations.