Rated for 200 A continuous, 4-pole — what that means in the panel
The Siemens SENTRON 3VA1220-6EF42-0CC0 is a 4-pole molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) rated for 200 A continuous current (Iu) across the full ambient range up to 50 °C, with thermal derating starting at 55 °C (194 A) down to 176 A at 70 °C. That 200 A rating holds steady at 40 °C, 45 °C, and 50 °C — so in a typical 40 °C panel you get the full nameplate without derating. The TM240 overcurrent release is a thermal-magnetic unit — thermal for overload protection, magnetic for short-circuit. It's fixed-trip, not adjustable, so what you order is what coordinates with downstream feeders. The breaker is designated for line protection, meaning it's the main incoming device, not a feeder or branch protector.
Breaking capacity — the real selectivity number
Rated breaking capacity varies sharply with system voltage: 220 kA at 240 V, 154 kA at 415 V, 36 kA at 440 V, and 17 kA at 690 V. At 415 V — common in industrial distribution — you're looking at 154 kA, which is high enough for most main service entrances without cascading upstream. The 36 kA at 440 V is still robust for secondary distribution. If your system runs at 690 V, the 17 kA rating is the binding constraint for fault current coordination studies.
Built-in undervoltage release and auxiliary contacts
This variant comes factory-fitted with an undervoltage release (UVR) — part of the auxiliary release design — and 2 auxiliary switches (HQ type). The UVR trips the breaker when control voltage drops below a threshold, which is standard for emergency-stop circuits or undervoltage protection on motor feeders. The two auxiliary switches provide status feedback (open/closed) to a PLC or indication lamp without needing an external contact block. The integrated auxiliary trip is specified as order code 3VA9608-0BB24 — that's the factory-installed shunt or UVR module, not a field-addable kit. Verify your panel wiring accommodates the UVR coil power requirements before commissioning.
Physical fit and panel integration
Dimensions: 140 mm wide, 158 mm high, 70 mm deep. That's a standard 4-pole MCCB footprint for the 3VA frame size — mounts on a DIN rail or panel-mount plate. The front face carries IP40 protection, meaning it's protected against tools and wires >1 mm but not against water ingress; keep it inside a rated enclosure. Storage range is -40 °C to 80 °C; operating range is -25 °C to 70 °C.