What the interrupting ratings mean for your panel
The Siemens SENTRON 3VA1216-5MH32-0CH0 is a 3-pole molded case circuit breaker rated 160 A continuous at 40 °C, designed specifically for starter protection — meaning it coordinates with a contactor and overload relay to protect motor branch circuits under short-circuit conditions. The interrupting ratings tell you where this breaker can safely clear a fault: 187 kA at 240 V, 121 kA at 415 V, 75.6 kA at 440 V, 30 kA at 500 V, and 4.5 kA at 690 V. That 187 kA figure at 240 V is high enough for most industrial distribution panels with large transformer feeds; the drop to 4.5 kA at 690 V means you need to verify the available fault current at that voltage level before committing the BOM line.
Thermal derating and enclosure fit
The 160 A rating holds flat from 40 °C through 50 °C, then derates to 156 A at 55 °C, 151 A at 60 °C, 147 A at 65 °C, and 142 A at 70 °C. If your panel ambient runs above 50 °C, you lose about 4-5 A per 5 °C step — plan your load margin accordingly. The breaker measures 105 mm wide, 158 mm high, 70 mm deep, so it fits a standard 3-pole MCCB footprint on the DIN rail or mounting plate. Maximum power loss is 35.5 W — that heat has to be vented in a sealed enclosure.
Built-in auxiliary and undervoltage release
This variant ships with 2 auxiliary switches plus a trip alarm switch (HQ), and an undervoltage release (UVR) — the UVR will trip the breaker if control voltage drops below its dropout threshold, which is standard for motor starters that need undervoltage protection per code. The basic switch assembly is order code 3VA12165MH320AA0. Insulation voltage is rated 800 V, so the breaker can be used in 690 V systems with adequate clearance.