What this MCCB is and what it does
The Siemens SENTRON 3VA2010-6HL32-0HC0 is a 3-pole molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) designed for line protection — meaning it sits at the feeder or main distribution point, not on a specific load. It carries a continuous current rating of 100 A across the full ambient temperature range from 40 °C to 70 °C, so no derating is needed as the panel warms up. The interrupting ratings are the headline: 242 kA at 240 V, 187 kA at 415 V and 440 V, 121 kA at 500 V, and 3 kA at 690 V. That 242 kA figure at 240 V means this breaker can safely clear a fault up to that level without rupturing — critical for high-fault-capacity panels near large transformers or utility feeds. It ships with a shunt trip (STL) for remote tripping and two HQ auxiliary switches for status feedback to a PLC or annunciator. The basic switch assembly is order code 3VA20106HL320AA0. No undervoltage release, no ground-fault monitoring, no communication module — this is a straightforward line-protection breaker with remote trip capability.
Sizing and selectivity notes
The adjustable thermal-magnetic trip unit covers a range from 150 A minimum to 1 200 A maximum. That 150 A minimum is the lowest continuous-current setting; the 1 200 A maximum is the highest short-circuit pickup. For a 100 A continuous load, the trip unit is set at the low end of its range, which gives good coordination with downstream 100 A branch breakers. Maximum power loss is 13.5 W — relevant for panel thermal calculations if multiple breakers are ganged in a small enclosure. Operating temperature range is -25 °C to 70 °C; storage range is -40 °C to 80 °C.
Panel fit and mounting
Dimensions are 86 mm deep, 105 mm wide, and 181 mm tall. It mounts on a DIN rail or directly to a backplate via the MCCB's integral mounting feet. The 105 mm width is standard for a 3-pole frame in this class — verify panel cutout and busbar spacing against the existing layout before ordering.