The Siemens 3VA1140-6EF36-0AB0 is a 3-pole SENTRON molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) with a TM240 thermal-magnetic overcurrent release, rated 40 A continuous at 40 °C and derating to 37 A at 70 °C ambient.
Interrupting capacity — what those numbers mean for panel coordination
At 415 V it still interrupts 154 kA, and at 440 V it manages 121 kA. The drop to 17 kA at 500 V and 690 V is typical for a 40 A frame — above 480 V the arc extinction physics changes, so verify your system voltage against that knee. For a 480 V delta service the 17 kA is still adequate for most distribution panels, but if your available fault current exceeds that you need the higher-voltage-rated variant.
Thermal derating and the TM240 release
The breaker holds 40 A flat from 40 °C through 50 °C (–), then drops to 39 A at 55–60 °C, 38 A at 65 °C, and 37 A at 70 °C. The magnetic instantaneous trip on the TM240 is factory-set and not field-adjustable, so coordination studies need the fixed curve from the Siemens selectivity data.
Physical fit and auxiliary switch configuration
Footprint is 130 mm high, 76.2 mm wide, and 70 mm deep — the 3VA1 frame size. It ships with two factory-installed auxiliary switches (HP design,), so you get status feedback without adding a separate accessory module. If your BOM calls for shunt trip or UVR, those are field-addable accessories on the 3VA platform, but this order code doesn't include them.