The Siemens 3VA1220-5EF42-0AB0 is a SENTRON molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) with 4 poles, designed for line protection. It carries a TM240 thermal-magnetic overcurrent release and is rated for a continuous current of 200 A at 40 °C, derating to 176 A at 70 °C. The interrupting capacity reaches 187 kA at 240 V, 121 kA at 415 V, and 75.6 kA at 440 V, making it suitable for high-fault-current industrial distribution panels where selectivity and SCCR headroom are required.
Interrupting capacity and thermal performance
The 187 kA at 240 V is the headline figure — this breaker clears faults up to that level without cascading upstream, critical for main or tie-breaker positions in a switchboard. At 690 V the rating drops to 17 kA, still adequate for most 690 V motor control centers. The continuous current holds flat at 200 A from 40 °C through 50 °C, then derates linearly to 176 A at 70 °C — no surprise if the panel runs warm. Power loss is 42 W maximum at rated load, which factors into enclosure ventilation calculations.
Panel integration and dimensions
The 3VA1220-5EF42-0AB0 measures 158 mm high, 140 mm wide, and 70 mm deep. It mounts in a standard MCCB footprint on a DIN rail or panel-mount base. The 4-pole width (140 mm) matches the standard 4-pole SENTRON 3VA frame — no oddball spacing. Rated insulation voltage is 800 V, so it handles 690 V systems with margin. The TM240 release is factory-set; no undervoltage release or ground-fault module is included (specified as "without" on both). Two auxiliary switches (HP type) are built in for status feedback to a PLC or indication lamp.