What it is and what it does
The Siemens SENTRON 3VA1163-4EF32-0JH0 is a 3-pole molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) rated for 63 A continuous current at 40 °C, with a TM240 thermal-magnetic release that handles both overload and short-circuit protection in a single unit. It's a line-protection breaker — meaning it's sized for feeder and distribution circuits, not motor-starting duty where a separate overload relay would be needed. Breaking capacity is the headline here: 121 kA at 240 V, 75.6 kA at 415 V, 52.5 kA at 440 V, and 11.9 kA at 690 V. Those numbers tell you this breaker can sit upstream of a high-fault panel without needing a current-limiting fuse ahead of it — the 121 kA at 240 V covers most North American service-entrance scenarios, and the 75.6 kA at 415 V handles European industrial distribution. It carries a shunt trip (STL) auxiliary release for remote tripping via a control signal, plus 2 auxiliary switches and 1 trip alarm switch — enough feedback for a PLC to know the breaker state and whether it tripped on fault vs. manual open.
Mounting and panel fit
Footprint is 130 mm high, 76.2 mm wide, 70 mm deep — standard 3-pole MCCB size that fits most DIN-rail or panel-mount enclosures. The 70 mm depth means it clears a 100 mm deep enclosure with room for wiring behind it. Front face is IP40 rated — fine for a clean indoor panel, but not for washdown or outdoor exposure without an additional enclosure.
Thermal derating and operating range
The 63 A rating holds flat from 40 °C to 50 °C. Above that it derates: 60.48 A at 55 °C, 59.22 A at 60 °C, 57.96 A at 65 °C, 56.7 A at 70 °C. If your panel ambient runs hot — say next to a drive cabinet — plan for the lower continuous current at the actual enclosure temperature. Operating temperature range is -25 °C to 70 °C; storage range is -40 °C to 80 °C. The storage limit governs handling and warehousing, not running.