What this MCCB carries and where it fits
The Siemens SENTRON 3VA1163-4EF36-0AH0 is a 3-pole molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) rated for line protection, with a continuous current of 63 A at 40 °C ambient. The TM240 thermal-magnetic release handles overload and short-circuit protection in one unit — no separate relay needed. Breaking capacity runs from 121 kA at 240 V AC down to 11.9 kA at 690 V AC, so the same breaker can serve a 480 V panel with plenty of fault-current headroom or a 690 V drive input with a lower SCCR requirement. The 70 mm depth and 76.2 mm width fit the standard SENTRON 3VA panel footprint — no special adapter plate needed for a DIN-rail or screw-mount enclosure. A trip indicator and two auxiliary switches plus one trip alarm switch are built in, so the PLC gets a positive open/closed status without an add-on module.
Thermal derating and real-world current
The 63 A rating holds flat from 40 °C to 50 °C. Above that the TM release begins to derate: 62 A at 55 °C, 61 A at 60 °C, 60 A at 65 °C, and 58 A at 70 °C. If the panel ambient runs at 60 °C, the continuous load must stay at or under 61 A — the breaker will not trip at that level, but the thermal element tracks the enclosure temperature. Maximum power loss is 17.3 W, which matters for heat buildup in a sealed cabinet.
Breaking capacity by voltage — selectivity planning
The interrupting ratings are: 121 kA at 240 V, 75.6 kA at 415 V, 52.5 kA at 440 V, and 11.9 kA at both 500 V and 690 V. For a 400 V distribution board with a 50 kA prospective fault current, this breaker clears with margin. At 690 V the 11.9 kA limit is the binding constraint — verify the available fault current at that voltage before specifying.