What this MCCB does on the line side
The Siemens SENTRON 3VA1132-5EF36-0KH0 is a 3-pole molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) rated for line protection, carrying a continuous current Iu of 32 A and an interrupting capacity of 187 kA at 240 V — enough to clear a high-fault utility feed without upstream coordination headaches. The TM240 thermal-magnetic overcurrent release handles the overload and short-circuit trip curves; there is no undervoltage release, no phase-failure detection, and no communication module onboard — this is a straight feeder breaker, not a smart panel device. It ships with a shunt trip (STL) auxiliary release and a 2-auxiliary-switch plus 1-trip-alarm-switch HQ contact block, so you can remote-trip it and get a separate alarm signal back to the PLC or annunciator.
Interrupting ratings — what the numbers mean for your panel
The interrupting capacity drops with system voltage: 187 kA at 240 V, 121 kA at 415 V, 75.6 kA at 440 V, and 17 kA at 690 V. At 415 V, that 121 kA SCCR covers most industrial distribution transformers up to 2 MVA without needing a current-limiting fuse upstream. Rated insulation voltage Ui is 800 V, so the breaker is rated for 690 V line-to-line applications — the interrupting curve above is the limiting factor, not the insulation.
Thermal derating — the real-world current you can pull
The 32 A rating holds flat from 40 °C through 50 °C ambient. 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 your panel internal ambient runs 60 °C, plan for 30 A continuous, not 32. Operating range is -25 °C to +70 °C; storage range is -40 °C to +80 °C. The IP40 front protection means it is fine in a clean indoor panel but not washdown-rated.
Lifecycle and sourcing posture
The latching endurance is rated at 15 000 operations — a solid figure for a feeder breaker that cycles maybe a few times a year, but not a high-duty motor-switching device.
Physical fit and integration
Dimensions: 130 mm high, 76.2 mm wide, 70 mm deep. The 3-pole frame width of 76.2 mm is standard for this SENTRON 3VA frame size; it mounts on a DIN rail or panel-mount plate with the same footprint as other 3VA1-series breakers. The integrated auxiliary trip accessory is order code 3VA9688-0BL33 — order it alongside if you need the shunt trip wired at the factory rather than field-installed.