MCCB for line protection with high interrupting capacity
The Siemens SENTRON 3VA1163-6EF36-0BH0 is a 3-pole molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) designed for line protection, rated 63 A at 40 °C with a breaking capacity of 220 kA at 240 V. The 220 kA rating at 240 V means it can safely interrupt fault currents up to that level on a 240 V line without upstream cascading — relevant for high-fault installations like transformer secondaries or large motor control centers. At 415 V the breaking capacity is 154 kA, and at 690 V it holds 17 kA, per the datasheet. Rated insulation voltage is 800 V, and the unit includes an undervoltage release (UVR) plus a factory-fitted auxiliary switch block: 2 auxiliary switches + 1 trip alarm switch (HQ). The UVR trips the breaker when control voltage drops below a threshold — common in emergency-stop circuits or undervoltage protection schemes. The auxiliary switch set provides status feedback (open/closed/tripped) to a PLC or indicator lamp without extra wiring.
Thermal derating and power loss
Current rating holds at 63 A from 40 °C through 50 °C, then derates to 62 A at 55 °C, 61 A at 60 °C, 60 A at 65 °C, and 58 A at 70 °C. Maximum power loss is 19.8 W. For a panel build, that loss figure matters for thermal budgeting inside a sealed enclosure — at 63 A continuous, the 19.8 W is dissipated as heat inside the MCCB, so adjacent devices need adequate spacing or forced airflow. Operating temperature range is -25 °C to 70 °C; storage range is -40 °C to 80 °C. The storage limit governs handling and warehousing — the breaker can sit in a cold warehouse at -40 °C without damage, but must be at -25 °C or above to be energized.
Dimensions and panel fit
Dimensions: 130 mm height, 76.2 mm width, 70 mm depth. The 70 mm depth (2.76 in) is the projection from the mounting surface — important for gland-plate clearance or shallow enclosures. Width of 76.2 mm (3 in) matches standard 3-pole MCCB footprints for DIN-rail or screw-mount panels. Verify the busbar or lug kit spacing against the existing panel layout.