Rated current, breaking capacity, and what they mean for the panel
The 3VA1140-5GD42-0AA0 is a Siemens SENTRON molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) rated for a continuous 40 A on all four poles, designed for line protection in distribution panels. That 40 A holds flat from 40 °C up to 50 °C — only above 55 °C does it begin to derate, dropping to 39 A at 55 °C and 37 A at 70 °C, so in a warm enclosure you still have nearly full rated capacity. The breaking capacity is where this breaker earns its place: 187 kA at 240 V, 121 kA at 415 V, 75.6 kA at 440 V, and 17 kA at 500 V and 690 V. Those figures mean it can safely interrupt a fault of that magnitude without welding contacts or cascading failure upstream — critical for high-fault installations like transformer secondaries or large motor control centers.
TM210 release and thermal-magnetic trip curve
The overcurrent release is designated TM210, a thermal-magnetic type that provides inverse-time overload protection via a bimetal element and instantaneous short-circuit protection via a solenoid. This is the standard choice for general distribution and feeder circuits where you need coordination downstream without nuisance tripping on motor inrush. The rated insulation voltage is 800 V, so the breaker is suitable for 690 V systems with margin. Power loss at rated current is 10.8 W — a figure worth noting for thermal calculations inside a sealed enclosure.
Lifecycle and sourcing — active, no obsolescence concern
This part carries a lifecycle status of current production. There is no end-of-life notice, no last-time-buy window, and no successor part number to track. For the BOM freeze or the MRO planner stocking a spares cabinet, that means the supply channel is stable — no urgency to buy ahead of a phase-out. Sourced and quoted to order against an RFQ through independent distribution; availability and current pricing confirmed at quote time.
Dimensions and panel fit
The breaker measures 70 mm deep, 101.6 mm wide, and 130 mm high. The 4-pole width of roughly 100 mm is the standard 4-module footprint for SENTRON 3VA breakers; it mounts on a DIN rail or directly to a mounting plate via screw terminals. Front protection is IP40, meaning tools and fingers are kept out but the device is not sealed against moisture — install inside a rated enclosure. No undervoltage release, no communication function, no ground-fault monitoring on this variant; it is a straight thermal-magnetic line-protection device.