The Siemens SENTRON 3VA1216-5MH32-0JH0 is a 3-pole molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) rated 160 A at 40 °C, built for motor and starter protection in industrial panels. Its 187 kA breaking capacity at 240 V AC and 121 kA at 415 V AC give it the muscle to clear high-fault currents without cascading upstream — critical for selectivity in a distribution board feeding motor control centers.
Breaking capacity and thermal derating
The interrupting ratings cover the common industrial voltages: 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 415 V figure is the one to check for most 400 V-class distribution — it comfortably exceeds the typical 50 kA or 65 kA SCCR requirement for motor branch circuits. The continuous current holds at 160 A from 40 °C up to 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, size the breaker for the derated value, not the nameplate 160 A.
Built-in auxiliary and shunt trip
This variant ships with two auxiliary switches plus one trip alarm switch (HQ), and a shunt trip (STL) for remote tripping. That means you can wire the aux contacts into a PLC for breaker status feedback and use the shunt trip to kill power from an E-stop or safety relay — no need to add separate accessories. The insulation voltage is rated 800 V, so it's comfortable on 690 V systems.