Siemens SENTRON 3VA1216-4EF32-0AE0 — 160 A MCCB with TM240 Release
The TM240 thermal-magnetic release provides fixed overload and short-circuit protection without undervoltage or shunt trip options — this is a straight line-protection breaker, not a switch-disconnect with add-on releases. What sets this breaker apart is the interrupting capacity curve: 121 kA at 240 V, 75.6 kA at 415 V, 25 kA at 440 V, and 11.9 kA at 690 V. At 415 V, that 75.6 kA puts it well above typical distribution panel SCCR requirements in IEC markets — you get selectivity headroom without stepping up to a larger frame. The 25 kA at 440 V still covers most industrial motor control center bus faults. Thermal derating is flat from 40 °C to 50 °C at 160 A, then drops to 155.6 A at 55 °C, 151.2 A at 60 °C, 146.8 A at 65 °C, and 142.4 A at 70 °C.
Physical footprint: 105 mm wide, 158 mm high, 70 mm deep. The 70 mm depth keeps the breaker within typical 200 mm deep distribution board envelopes, leaving room for rear-connected busbars or cable lugs. The IP40 front rating is consistent with enclosed distribution boards; no additional gasketing is needed for normal indoor use.
Mechanical Endurance and Auxiliary Contacts
The 4 auxiliary switches (HQ type) are rated for the same mechanical life and provide dry contacts for status monitoring without loading the main circuit. No trip indicator is fitted on this variant, so a remote trip signal must come from the auxiliary contacts or a separate shunt trip (not included). If visual trip indication at the breaker face is required for your panel layout, this is the detail to catch before ordering.