Line protection with high interrupting capacity
The Siemens 3VA1140-5EF36-0KC0 is a SENTRON molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) for line protection, rated 40 A continuous current (Iu) with a TM240 thermal-magnetic overcurrent release. Its interrupting capacity is the headline: 187 kA at 240 V, 121 kA at 415 V, 75.6 kA at 440 V, and 17 kA at 690 V — these are the fault currents it can safely clear without rupturing. That 187 kA at 240 V covers high-fault industrial panels where a standard 25 kA or 65 kA MCCB would need upstream fusing or a current-limiting reactor. The 3-pole body fits standard MCCB panel footprints; the IP40 front protection keeps dust out of the enclosure face.
Thermal derating and endurance
The 40 A rating holds flat from 40 °C to 50 °C, then derates linearly: 38.4 A at 55 °C, 37.6 A at 60 °C, 36.8 A at 65 °C, and 36 A at 70 °C. If the panel ambient runs above 50 °C, size the load side for the derated value, not the nameplate 40 A. Latching endurance is rated at 15 000 cycles — that is the mechanical life before the latch mechanism wears; for frequent switching applications, factor this into the PM schedule. Two HQ auxiliary switches (form C) are integrated for status feedback to a PLC or annunciator panel.
Built-in shunt trip, no undervoltage release
This variant includes a shunt trip release (STL) for remote tripping via a control signal — useful for emergency-stop circuits or supervisory shutdown. There is no undervoltage release, so the breaker will not automatically open on a control-voltage dip. The integrated auxiliary trip order code is 3VA9688-0BL33, which is the shunt trip module itself. No communication function, phase failure detection, or ground fault monitoring are built in; this is a straightforward line-protection MCCB with a remote-trip option.