The Siemens SENTRON 3VA2010-5JQ32-0CL0 is a 3-pole molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) rated for 100 A continuous current, fitted with an ETU560 electronic trip unit for line protection. It's a current-production part (lifecycle stage: current) from the 3VA platform, meaning it's the active design you'd spec into a new panel or pull as a like-for-like replacement on an existing SENTRON line.
Breaking capacity and what it means for coordination
This MCCB delivers 187 kA interrupting capacity at 240 V, 121 kA at 415 V and 440 V, 79 kA at 500 V, and 3.4 kA at 690 V. The 187 kA figure at 240 V tells you it's built for high-fault-current applications — typically downstream of a large transformer or on a switchboard with a stiff utility feed. The steep drop to 3.4 kA at 690 V means you need to verify the available fault current at the point of installation if you're running a 690 V system; this breaker is not a universal high-interrupt device at that voltage. For most 400 V-class industrial panels, the 121 kA rating gives solid selectivity headroom against upstream 1600 A or 2000 A frames.
Thermal derating — the real current you can carry
The 100 A rating holds flat from 40 °C through 50 °C ambient. Above that, it derates: 96.25 A at 55 °C, 92.5 A at 60 °C, 88.75 A at 65 °C, and 85 A at 70 °C. If this breaker lives in a non-ventilated enclosure near other heat sources — common in a wastewater lift-station panel or a compressor MCC — the 60 °C derate to 92.5 A is the number you should size against, not the 100 A nameplate. The ETU560 electronic trip gives you adjustable long-time, short-time, and instantaneous pickups, so you can fine-tune coordination without swapping the frame.
Auxiliary contacts and undervoltage release
This variant ships with 2 auxiliary switches + 1 trip alarm switch + 1 electrical alarm switch (HQ configuration). It also includes an undervoltage release (UVR) — the design of the auxiliary release is listed as undervoltage release. That UVR is useful for safety circuits where a loss of control voltage should drop the breaker open, or for remote shunt-trip applications. The HQ auxiliary contact block gives you enough dry contacts for a PLC status input, a remote SCADA alarm, and a local panel light, with one spare.
Communication capability
A communication function is present on this unit. The 3VA platform supports plug-in communication modules (PROFIBUS, PROFINET, Modbus TCP) via the 3VA9 accessory range. If you need to pull trip data, energy metering, or breaker status into a control system, this frame accepts those modules. The base breaker without a module installed still communicates via the mechanical flag and auxiliary contacts, but the electronic trip's data port is ready for a module.
Dimensions and panel fit
The breaker measures 181 mm high, 105 mm wide, and 86 mm deep. The 105 mm width is standard for a 3-pole 100 A frame in the 3VA series — it fits the same mounting footprint as other 3VA1 3-pole units. The 86 mm depth includes the handle and arc-chamber protrusion; check clearance to the enclosure door if you're mounting it in a shallow wall-mount box. Panel cutout and mounting pattern match the 3VA1 family, so a swap from an older 3VA1 or 3VL frame may need a new escutcheon or adapter plate.