What this MCCB is and what it does
The Siemens SENTRON 3VA2010-6KQ42-0AA0 is a 4-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 242 kA breaking capacity at 240 V AC, dropping to 187 kA at 415 V and 440 V, 121 kA at 500 V, and 3 kA at 690 V — so the interrupting rating you plan for depends on your system voltage. Rated insulation voltage is 800 V, which covers standard 400/480 V distribution without derating. The breaker holds its full 100 A rating across the ambient temperature range from 40 °C to 70 °C — no derating needed in a warm enclosure. Power loss at rated current is 13.5 W maximum, which matters for heat buildup in a tightly packed panel. This is a line-protection variant, meaning it's optimized for cable and busbar protection rather than motor or generator protection. It includes a communication function for remote monitoring or trip indication, and a ground-fault monitoring version configured as summation current formation on L+N conductors — useful for detecting leakage on single-phase or three-phase loads without a separate GFCI module.
Panel fit and integration
Dimensions are 181 mm tall, 140 mm wide, 86 mm deep. Mounts on a DIN rail or direct panel-mount via the SENTRON 3VA accessory system. Operating temperature range is -25 °C to 70 °C, storage from -40 °C to 80 °C — fine for unheated electrical rooms or outdoor enclosures with climate control. No undervoltage release or voltage trip trigger on this variant, so if you need undervoltage protection, you'll add an external release module.
What the ratings mean for your choice
The 242 kA at 240 V is the maximum interrupting capacity — that's the fault current this breaker can safely clear at that voltage. At 415 V it's still 187 kA, which covers most industrial distribution transformers. The 3 kA at 690 V is a steep drop; if your system runs at 690 V, this breaker is not the right pick for high-fault-current locations. The 100 A continuous rating with flat derating to 70 °C means you can load it to nameplate even in a hot panel — no need to downrate for ambient. The communication function enables integration with energy management systems. The ground-fault monitoring uses summation current on L+N. No trip indicator on the breaker face.