Rated current and breaking capacity
The Siemens 3VA1163-6EF42-0AA0 is a SENTRON molded case circuit breaker rated 63 A continuously at 40 °C, with the same rating holding through 50 °C and only derating to 58 A at 70 °C — so it carries its full nameplate current across typical panel ambient temperatures without a derate penalty. Breaking capacity is 220 kA at 240 V, 154 kA at 415 V, and 121 kA at 440 V, dropping to 17 kA at 500 V and 690 V. That 220 kA figure at 240 V means it handles very high available fault currents common in industrial distribution, while the 17 kA at 690 V still covers most motor-circuit fault levels.
Overcurrent release and protection design
The overcurrent release is a TM240 thermal-magnetic type — fixed thermal and magnetic trip settings, no electronic adjustment. The breaker is designed for line protection (cable and busbar protection), not motor or generator protection. It has no undervoltage release, no ground-fault monitoring, no communication function, and no trip indicator. The front face carries IP40 protection, so it's fine for enclosed panel mounting but not washdown areas.
Physical fit and panel integration
The 3VA1163-6EF42-0AA0 measures 130 mm high, 101.6 mm wide, and 70 mm deep — a 4-pole MCCB that fits standard Siemens SENTRON mounting patterns. The 70 mm depth is shallower than many equivalent-frame breakers, which helps when panel depth is constrained. Rated insulation voltage is 800 V, and maximum power loss is 17.3 W — worth accounting for in enclosed panel heat calculations.