32 A MCCB with 187 kA interrupting capacity — what that means for your panel
The Siemens 3VA1132-5EF36-0CH0 is a 3-pole SENTRON molded case circuit breaker rated for 32 A continuous current at 40 °C through 50 °C, with a TM240 thermal-magnetic release. Its headline figure is 187 kA breaking capacity at 240 V — that is the fault current it can safely interrupt at that voltage without welding contacts or venting arc plasma into the enclosure. At 415 V it still holds 121 kA, and at 690 V it drops to 17 kA, so the interrupting rating is voltage-dependent; size the available fault current at your service voltage against these curves, not the 240 V peak.
Thermal derating and ambient temperature
The 32 A rating holds flat from 40 °C to 50 °C. Above that it derates: 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 above 50 °C, you are leaving about 3 A on the table — factor that into your load calculation rather than upsizing the breaker.
Built-in undervoltage release and auxiliary contact configuration
This MCCB ships with an undervoltage release (UVR) as the auxiliary release design, plus 2 auxiliary switches and 1 trip alarm switch (HQ version). The integrated auxiliary trip module is order code 3VA9608-0BB24. No voltage trigger, no ground fault monitoring, no communication function, no phase failure detection — this is a straight line-protection breaker with a UVR for undervoltage tripping. The TM240 overcurrent release handles the thermal and magnetic protection.
Physical fit and environmental limits
Depth is 70 mm, width 76.2 mm, height 130 mm — standard 3-pole MCCB footprint for a 32 A frame. IP40 on the front means it is protected against tools and wires >1 mm, but not against water ingress; keep it inside a sealed enclosure if washdown is nearby. Operating range is -25 °C to 70 °C; storage from -40 °C to 80 °C. The reference code per DIN EN 81346-2 is Q.