SENTRON 3VA1163-4EF32-0JC0 — 63 A MCCB with TM240 release and shunt trip
The Siemens 3VA1163-4EF32-0JC0 is a 3-pole SENTRON molded case circuit breaker rated for continuous current of 63 A at ambient temperatures up to 50 °C, with a TM240 thermal-magnetic overcurrent release and an integrated shunt trip (STL) for remote tripping. It carries a breaking capacity of 121 kA at 240 V, 75.6 kA at 415 V, and 52.5 kA at 440 V — figures that give the panel designer real headroom for high-fault installations like a mill's main feeder or a large motor control center. The rated insulation voltage sits at 800 V, so it's comfortable in 480 V and 600 V class systems without derating the insulation path.
Breaking capacity and selectivity — what the ratings mean for your feeder
The 121 kA at 240 V and 75.6 kA at 415 V are the ultimate short-circuit breaking capacities (Icu) — the maximum fault current the breaker can safely interrupt once. For selectivity coordination downstream, the real number to watch is the 52.5 kA at 440 V and the 11.9 kA at 690 V, because those are the levels where the upstream breaker must hold off while the downstream device clears. In a typical 480 V distribution panel, the 75.6 kA at 415 V (roughly equivalent at 480 V) means this breaker can sit at the main or a large subfeed without worrying about fault energy exceeding its capability, as long as the available fault current stays under that ceiling. The TM240 release gives a thermal pickup range up to 240 A frame rating, but the breaker's continuous rating is set at 63 A by the installed trip unit — so it's a 63 A breaker in a 240 A frame, which gives mechanical robustness and spare capacity for the magnetic short-circuit pickup.
Thermal derating — the real current you get at panel temperature
The 63 A rating holds flat from 40 °C to 50 °C ambient. Above that, it steps down: 60.48 A at 55 °C, 59.22 A at 60 °C, 57.96 A at 65 °C, and 56.7 A at 70 °C. If the breaker lives in a crowded enclosure or near heat-generating gear, the 55 °C to 65 °C derating band is where you lose 2.5 to 5 A — enough to matter on a fully loaded feeder. The operating temperature range is -25 °C to 70 °C, with storage from -40 °C to 80 °C, so it handles cold starts in unheated electrical rooms.
Integrated accessories and panel fit
The breaker ships with a shunt trip (STL) release factory-installed, part number 3VA9688-0BL32, for remote emergency-off or undervoltage tripping via a control signal. Two HQ auxiliary switches are also integrated, giving status feedback to a PLC or status lamp without needing an add-on module. The front face carries IP40 protection — fine for a closed panel, but not for washdown areas. Dimensions are 130 mm height, 76.2 mm width, 70 mm depth, which fits standard SENTRON mounting footprints and busbar systems. No communication module, no ground-fault monitoring, no phase-failure detection on this variant — it's a straightforward line-protection breaker with remote trip capability.