What it is and what it handles
The Siemens 3VA1220-6EF42-0DC0 is a SENTRON molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) rated for 200 A continuous current (Iu) in a 4-pole configuration. It's a line-protection breaker, meaning it's built for feeder and main distribution duties where you need to clear faults fast and keep selectivity downstream. The interrupting ratings tell the story: 220 kA at 240 V, 154 kA at 415 V, 36 kA at 440 V, and 17 kA at 690 V. That 220 kA figure at 240 V is the headline — it'll handle a serious utility fault without flinching. At 415 V, the 154 kA still gives you plenty of headroom for most industrial switchboards. Rated insulation voltage (Ui) is 800 V, so it's comfortable in 690 V systems. The front face carries IP40 protection — fine for a clean indoor panel, but don't hose it down.
Thermal performance and derating
This breaker holds its full 200 A rating from 40 °C up to 50 °C. At 55 °C it derates to 194 A, at 60 °C to 188 A, at 65 °C to 182 A, and at 70 °C to 176 A. That's a gentle slope — you lose only about 12% by 70 °C, which matters when you're packing breakers tight in a warm enclosure. Operating temperature range is -25 °C to 70 °C; storage range is -40 °C to 80 °C. The storage number governs handling and shipping, not running.
Auxiliaries and releases
Comes with an undervoltage release (UVR) already installed — that's the 'EF42' portion of the order code telling you it's factory-fitted. The overcurrent release is a TM240 thermal-magnetic unit, which is standard line-protection curve. Two auxiliary switches (HQ type) are built in for status feedback to a PLC or annunciator. No ground-fault monitoring, no phase-failure detection, no communication module. This is a straight-ahead line-protection breaker — no frills, fewer things to fail. Mechanical endurance is rated at 15,000 operations. That's typical for an MCCB of this class — not a switching contactor, but plenty for infrequent manual operation and fault clearing.
Panel fit and dimensions
Dimensions: 158 mm high, 140 mm wide, 70 mm deep. The 140 mm width is the 4-pole frame footprint — it'll need a 4-module-wide space on the mounting plate. The 70 mm depth is shallow enough for standard 400 mm deep enclosures with the door closed.