What this MCCB carries and where it fits
The Siemens SENTRON 3VA1216-4EF32-0KH0 is a 3-pole molded case circuit breaker rated for 160 A continuous current (Iu) with a TM240 thermal-magnetic overcurrent release. Its interrupting capacity hits 121 kA at 240 V AC, 75.6 kA at 415 V, 25 kA at 440 V, and 11.9 kA at 690 V — so it handles high-fault utility feeds and transformer secondaries without cascading upstream. The line protection version means it's configured for feeder and main breaker duty, not motor branch-circuit protection. It carries a shunt trip release (STL) for remote emergency-off and comes with 2 auxiliary switches plus a separate trip alarm switch (HQ) for status feedback to a PLC or annunciator panel.
Thermal derating and panel integration
Rated continuous current holds at 160 A through 50 °C ambient, then steps down 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. That derating curve matters when the breaker lives in a crowded enclosure with other heat sources — at 60 °C you lose about 5.5% of the continuous rating. The 105 mm width and 158 mm height fit standard SENTRON 3VA panel cutouts; depth is 70 mm. Front face carries IP40 protection — fine for a dry indoor panel, but not for washdown areas. Operating range is -25 °C to 70 °C; storage range is -40 °C to 80 °C.