The Siemens SENTRON 3VA1140-5ED46-0AA0 is a 4-pole molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) rated 40 A continuous, built around the TM210 thermal-magnetic overcurrent release. That TM210 designation means the thermal element is fixed at 40 A — no interchangeable rating plug — so what you see on the label is the trip point. The magnetic short-circuit pickup is adjustable via a rotary dial on the front, which lets you coordinate with downstream breakers without swapping the whole unit.
Interrupting capacity — what the numbers mean for panel coordination
This breaker carries 187 kA interrupting capacity at 240 V AC, dropping to 121 kA at 415 V, 75.6 kA at 440 V, and 17 kA at both 500 V and 690 V. Those are the SCCR values the breaker can clear without welding its contacts or rupturing the case. In a 480 V panel (common in North America), the 75.6 kA figure at 440 V is the closest published rating — expect similar performance at 480 V. For a 400 V IEC distribution board, 121 kA gives you headroom for high-fault utility feeds. The 17 kA at 690 V is the limiting case; if your system available fault current exceeds that, you need a current-limiting upstream device or a higher-rated frame.
Thermal derating — real-world current in a warm panel
The 40 A rating holds from 40 °C through 50 °C ambient. At 55 °C it derates to 39 A, at 65 °C to 38 A, and at 70 °C to 37 A. That means in a tightly packed panel running 50 °C internal air, you still get full 40 A. Above that, the thermal element tracks the ambient — no surprise, but worth noting if you're sizing for continuous load near the limit in a hot enclosure. The maximum operating temperature is 70 °C; storage range is -40 °C to 80 °C.
Physical fit and panel integration
The 3VA1140 frame measures 101.6 mm wide, 130 mm tall, and 70 mm deep. That 4-inch width is the standard 4-pole MCCB footprint for the 3VA1 frame size — it occupies the same panel cutout as other 3VA1 4-pole units. The front face carries an IP40 protection class, meaning tools and fingers are kept out but it's not sealed against water ingress; mount it inside a panel or enclosure. The 800 V rated insulation voltage (Ui) covers most low-voltage distribution systems up to 690 V phase-to-phase.