What it is and what it does
The Siemens SENTRON 3VA1163-6EF46-0AA0 is a 4-pole molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) rated for line protection, carrying 63 A continuously at 40 °C without derating. At 240 V it interrupts faults up to 220 kA — that rating covers high-available-fault panels where a standard MCCB would weld shut. The TM240 thermal-magnetic release handles overloads with a fixed thermal curve and magnetic trip for short circuits.
Thermal derating and ambient reality
This breaker holds its full 63 A rating from 40 °C up through 50 °C — no derating needed in a warm panel. At 55 °C it drops to 62 A, at 65 °C to 60 A, and at 70 °C to 58 A. If your control room sits near a kiln or furnace line, that derating curve is what keeps the breaker from nuisance-tripping in summer. The maximum operating ambient is 70 °C; storage range is -40 to 80 °C.
Interrupting capacity across voltages
The interrupting ratings step down with system voltage: 220 kA at 240 V, 154 kA at 415 V, 121 kA at 440 V, and 17 kA at both 500 V and 690 V. The 690 V figure is the same as the 500 V rating, which tells you the arc extinction is solid at the higher voltage. Rated insulation voltage is 800 V.
Panel fit and integration
The breaker measures 70 mm deep, 101.6 mm wide, and 130 mm high. Four-pole width means it takes up the same DIN space as a four-module unit. The front face carries IP40 protection — sealed against tools and fingers, not against hose-down. No undervoltage release, no shunt trip, no communication module on this variant; it's a straight thermal-magnetic line-protection breaker.