What the ratings mean for fit
The 3VA1163-3EF36-0CH0 is a Siemens SENTRON molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) rated for 63 A continuous current at 40 °C ambient, with a TM240 thermal-magnetic release. The TM240 designation means the thermal trip element is calibrated for a 63 A frame but the magnetic short-circuit pickup is fixed at 240 A — so it's sized for feeder or branch protection where the inrush from motor loads or transformers stays under that threshold. The 63 A rating holds flat from 40 °C through 50 °C; above that it derates to 60.48 A at 55 °C and 56.7 A at 70 °C, per the evidence. That derating curve matters if the breaker lives in a non-ventilated enclosure or near other heat sources. Breaking capacity is given at four voltage points: 75.6 kA at 240 V, 52.5 kA at 415 V, 32 kA at 440 V, and 10.5 kA at 690 V. For a 480 V panel, the relevant figure is the 440 V rating (32 kA) since the next step is 690 V — the breaker's SCCR at typical North American 480Y/277 V systems sits between those two values. The 75.6 kA at 240 V covers high-fault service-entrance applications on the secondary side of a 240/120 V transformer. Rated insulation voltage Ui is 800 V, which means the internal creepage and clearance distances are designed for 600 V class systems with margin. The front-face protection is IP40 — finger-safe from the front but not sealed against dust ingress into the enclosure. The operating temperature range is -25 °C to 70 °C, storage from -40 °C to 80 °C.
Integrated auxiliary and undervoltage release
This variant ships with an undervoltage release (UVR) factory-installed — the release design is listed as, and the integrated auxiliary trip order code is 3VA9608-0BB24. The auxiliary contact configuration is 2 auxiliary switches plus 1 trip alarm switch (HQ type). That means the breaker reports its status (open/closed) and separately signals a trip event through the alarm contact, which is useful for remote annunciation in a PLC or SCADA input. The UVR will open the breaker when control voltage drops below a threshold, preventing automatic restart after a brownout. The mechanical endurance is rated at 15,000 operations — that's the latching endurance, meaning the mechanism is good for that many open-close cycles before wear affects the trip profile. For a breaker that sees daily switching (e.g., as a disconnect under load), that's a reasonable service life; for infrequent fault protection only, it's effectively unlimited.
Physical fit and panel integration
Dimensions are 130 mm height, 76.2 mm width, 70 mm depth. The 76.2 mm width is a standard 3-pole MCCB footprint — it occupies three 25.4 mm (1-inch) module positions on a DIN rail or panel-mount base. The 70 mm depth means it clears most 200 mm deep enclosures with room for wiring gutters. The IP40 front protection is typical for a panel-mounted breaker; the rear and sides are not sealed, so the breaker must be installed inside a rated enclosure.