What this MCCB is and where it fits
The Siemens SENTRON 3VA2010-5JQ32-0BA0 is a 3-pole molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) rated for 100 A continuous current at 40 °C ambient, with a full-scale value of 100 A and an adjustable thermal-magnetic trip starting at 20 A. It's designed for line protection — meaning it sits at the feeder or main distribution point in a panel, not on a specific motor or branch circuit. The 187 kA breaking capacity at 240 V gives it serious fault-interruption headroom for high-available-fault-current installations like transformer secondaries or large busway feeds.
Breaking capacity across voltages — what the numbers mean
This MCCB delivers 187 kA at 240 V, 121 kA at 415 V and 440 V, 75.6 kA at 500 V, and 3 kA at 690 V. The steep drop at 690 V is typical for a 100 A frame — the arc extinction physics changes at higher voltages, and the 3 kA figure tells you this breaker is not intended for 690 V main feeds. For a 480 V panel (common in North America), the 75.6 kA at 500 V is the closest proxy and indicates ample SCCR for most industrial services.
Thermal performance and ambient derating
The breaker holds its 100 A rating flat from 40 °C through 70 °C — no derating needed across that range. That's unusual for an MCCB; many frames start shedding current above 40 °C. The operating range spans -25 °C to 70 °C, with storage from -40 °C to 80 °C. Maximum power loss is 16 W, which is modest for a 100 A frame and keeps panel heat rise manageable.
Built-in auxiliaries and communication
This variant includes an undervoltage release (UVR) — the design of the auxiliary release is specifically an undervoltage release. That means if the control voltage drops below a threshold, the breaker trips, which is standard for safety circuits or emergency-stop chains where loss of control power should open the main feeder. It also has a communication function, so it can report status or accept remote commands over a bus — useful for a BMS or SCADA-connected distribution panel. There is no voltage trigger or trip indicator on this specific order code.
Physical fit and panel integration
Dimensions are 181 mm high, 105 mm wide, 86 mm deep — a standard 3-pole MCCB footprint that fits most Siemens SENTRON mounting bases and busbar systems. The 105 mm width is the critical dimension for multi-pole grouping in a panel layout; verify your busbar pitch and enclosure cutout against that number before ordering.