What this 3VA1 breaker delivers
The Siemens 3VA1163-6MH36-0HH0 is a 3-pole IEC frame 160 circuit breaker rated 63 A with a 70 kA breaking capacity at 415 V (class H). That Icu figure means it can safely interrupt a fault current up to 70 kA without welding contacts or rupturing the arc chamber — critical for high-fault-capacity installations like transformer secondaries or large motor control centers. The short-circuit trip threshold is adjustable from 5 to 15 times In, letting you dial in coordination with downstream contactors and overload relays. The integrated shunt trip (STL) operates on 12-30 V DC or 24 V AC 50/60 Hz, allowing remote tripping from an E-stop or safety PLC. Two auxiliary switches (HQ) and one trip alarm switch (HQ) provide status feedback to the control system.
Integration notes for panel builders
The 3VA1 frame mounts on a DIN rail or can be screw-fixed to a mounting plate. Clamp connections accept copper conductors — strip length and torque values follow the manufacturer's published terminal data. The shunt trip and auxiliary switch wiring share the same terminal compartment; verify free-wheel diode polarity on the STL coil if driving it from a DC source. Because this breaker provides short-circuit protection only (no overload protection in the TM120M release), a separate overload relay must be wired downstream for motor branch circuits. The Ii adjustment range (5-15 x In) lets the installer set the magnetic trip to ride through motor start without nuisance tripping.