The Siemens 3VA1163-6MH36-0DA0 is a 3VA1 IEC frame 160 molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) with a 63 A continuous rating and a 70 kA interrupting capacity at 415 V AC — that's breaking capacity class H, meaning it handles high fault currents typical of industrial distribution without needing an upstream current-limiting fuse. It's configured for starter protection with a TM120M thermal-magnetic trip unit set to 63 A, adjustable instantaneous pickup from 5 to 15 times In, and no built-in overload protection (the motor starter handles that). The undervoltage release (UVR) operates on 208-230 V AC, 50/60 Hz, so if control power drops, the breaker opens — standard for safety circuits that need to drop a motor on loss of signal.
Lifecycle and sourcing
For a BOM line or a line-down replacement, the key fit check is the TM120M trip curve and the UVR coil voltage — 208-230 V AC. The clamp connection terminals accept standard copper bus or cable lugs, and the 3-pole footprint fits the 3VA1 panelboard cutout. If you're swapping an older 3VF or 3VL frame, verify the mounting hole pattern and bus spacing; the 3VA series uses the same DIN-rail adapter but the lug centerline may differ.
What the ratings mean on the panel
The 70 kA Icu at 415 V is the maximum short-circuit current the breaker can safely interrupt once — after that, it needs inspection or replacement. For most 400 V industrial panels, that's enough headroom to coordinate with a downstream motor starter and a upstream transformer secondary. The adjustable Ii (5-15 x In) lets you set the magnetic pickup to ride through motor inrush without nuisance tripping: at 63 A, that's 315 A to 945 A instantaneous. The UVR is a shunt-trip variant that drops the breaker when coil voltage falls below about 70% of rated — so if your 230 V control transformer loses power, the breaker opens and the motor stops, which is standard for emergency-stop and safety-zone circuits.
Where this breaker goes in the system
This is a feeder or motor branch-circuit breaker in a 400 V industrial MCC or panelboard. The 'starter protection' designation means it coordinates with a contactor and overload relay — the TM120M provides only short-circuit and ground-fault protection; the overload relay handles the thermal protection. It's common on pump, fan, and conveyor circuits where a separate motor starter package is already spec'd. The UVR makes it suitable for applications that require undervoltage release per IEC 60947-2, like crane controls or process safety interlocks.