What this 3VA MCCB is and what the ratings mean for fit
The 3VA1140-6EF36-0BH0: The headline breaking capacities tell you where this breaker can safely interrupt a fault: 220 kA at 240 V, 154 kA at 415 V, 121 kA at 440 V, and 17 kA at 690 V. That 220 kA figure at 240 V is the highest short-circuit current the breaker can clear without welding or rupturing — critical when the available fault current at the panel is known to be high, such as near a large transformer or in a utility tie. The 40 A rating holds across 40 °C to 50 °C ambient, then derates to 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, the continuous load must be backed off accordingly — the breaker won't trip on a 38 A load at 60 °C, but it won't carry its full 40 A nameplate either. The front face carries an IP40 protection class — protected against tools and wires over 1 mm, but not sealed against moisture. Suitable for dry indoor panel mounting where splash is not expected.
Auxiliary contacts and undervoltage release — what's on board
This variant ships with two auxiliary switches plus one trip alarm switch (HQ configuration). The auxiliary contacts follow the main contact position; the alarm switch changes state only on a trip event (overload, short circuit, or undervoltage). That alarm contact is useful for remote fault annunciation without adding a separate monitoring relay. An undervoltage release (UVR) is fitted as standard. If the control voltage drops below the dropout threshold, the UVR trips the breaker — common in safety circuits where loss of control power must disconnect the load, or in emergency-stop chains that rely on a held-in coil. The integrated auxiliary trip order code 3VA9608-0BB11 is the factory-matched accessory for this breaker — if you need a spare or replacement UVR module, that's the number to order.
Lifecycle and sourcing reality
No official successor has been published because none is needed — this is the current-generation SENTRON 3VA platform. For a BOM freeze or a critical-spare holding, the 3VA1140-6EF36-0BH0 is the part to specify; no cross-grade or replacement is pending.
Panel fit — dimensions and mounting
The breaker measures 130 mm high, 76.2 mm wide (3 inches — standard MCCB pole spacing), and 70 mm deep. That 70 mm depth is the body only; add projection for the handle and the auxiliary/alarm wiring compartment. Fits a standard DIN-rail or screw-mount panel footprint; the 76.2 mm width means three poles occupy roughly the same space as three single-pole units ganged. Operating temperature range is -25 °C to +70 °C; storage range -40 °C to +80 °C. The storage limit governs handling and warehousing — the breaker can sit in an unheated warehouse at -40 °C without damage, but must be above -25 °C to be switched.