What this MCCB is and what it does
The Siemens SENTRON 3VA2010-6HN36-0JA0 is a 3-pole molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) rated for 100 A continuous current, designed for line protection in distribution panels and industrial switchgear. It carries a shunt trip release (STL) for remote tripping — useful in emergency-stop or supervisory control circuits where you need to open the breaker from a pushbutton or a safety relay, not just by overcurrent. Breaking capacity is the headline: 242 kA at 240 V AC, 187 kA at 415 V and 440 V, 121 kA at 500 V, and 3 kA at 690 V. That's a high-interrupting rating for a 100 A frame — it handles fault currents on the secondary side of a large transformer without needing a current-limiting fuse upstream. The rated insulation voltage is 800 V, so it's comfortable in 480 V and 600 V class systems.
Dimensions and panel fit
Footprint is 105 mm wide by 181 mm tall by 86 mm deep. That's a standard 3-pole MCCB width for the 3VA frame — it fits the same DIN-rail or screw-mount pattern as other 3VA2010 variants. If you're swapping into an existing panel, check the depth clearance: 86 mm plus wiring space for the shunt trip terminals.
What the shunt trip means for your circuit
The shunt trip (STL) release lets you open the breaker electrically — apply a control voltage to the trip coil and the breaker opens regardless of load current. This is the standard way to integrate an MCCB into an emergency-stop chain or a remote shutdown system. The breaker itself does not include undervoltage release or ground-fault monitoring; those are separate accessory options if your application requires them.
Thermal performance across the panel ambient range
Rated 100 A continuously from 40 °C all the way up to 70 °C ambient — no derating needed in a warm enclosure. That's unusual for a molded case breaker; most frames start tapering above 40 °C. Operating range is -25 °C to 70 °C, storage from -40 °C to 80 °C. Maximum power loss at rated current is 13.5 W per pole — negligible for panel heat budgeting.