The Siemens SENTRON 3VA1163-6EF32-0HC0 is a 3-pole molded case circuit breaker rated for 63 A continuous current at 40 °C, with a TM240 thermal-magnetic overcurrent release and an integrated shunt trip (STL) for remote tripping. Breaking capacity hits 220 kA at 240 V, 154 kA at 415 V, and 121 kA at 440 V — numbers that tell you this breaker is sized for high-fault industrial service, not light commercial distribution. At 690 V it still holds 17 kA, so it handles 480Y/277 V and 600 V class systems with headroom.
What the ratings mean for fit
The 63 A rating holds flat from 40 °C to 50 °C — no derating needed in a warm panel. At 55 °C it drops to 60.48 A, at 60 °C to 59.22 A, and at 70 °C to 56.7 A. That thermal curve means a panel running at 50 °C ambient gets the full 63 A; above that, size up if your load is continuous. The TM240 release is a fixed thermal-magnetic type — no interchangeable trip units, so the breaker is dedicated to its 63 A setting. The shunt trip (order code 3VA9688-0BL30 for the auxiliary release) lets a safety PLC or E-stop circuit drop the breaker remotely, which is standard for emergency-off zones on conveyor or machine-tool lines.
Panel integration
Dimensions are 130 mm high, 76.2 mm wide, 70 mm deep — a 3-pole frame that fits standard Siemens 3VA mounting bases and busbar systems. The width is exactly 3 x 25.4 mm (3 inches), so it aligns with 3-inch-center busbar layouts common in North American panelboards. The shunt trip adds a pair of control wires; the 2 HQ auxiliary switches give status feedback for PLC or indicator-light monitoring. No undervoltage release is fitted, so if you need UVR protection for motor-starting circuits, this isn't the variant.