Key ratings and what they mean for fit
The Siemens SENTRON 3VA2110-5JQ32-0BA0 is a 3-pole molded case circuit breaker rated for 100 A continuous current at 40 °C. That 100 A holds steady through 50 °C, then derates linearly to 85 A at 70 °C — critical for high-ambient panels near furnaces or enclosed switchgear where the thermal curve governs actual capacity, not the nameplate number. Breaking capacity is the headline: 187 kA at 240 V, 121 kA at 415 V, and still 79 kA at 500 V. At 690 V it drops to 4.25 kA, so this frame is sized for 400–480 V distribution where fault currents are high — think large motor control centers or transformer secondaries. The 121 kA at 415 V means it can sit downstream of a 2 MVA transformer without needing a current-limiting fuse upstream, which simplifies coordination studies. The ETU560 electronic trip unit supports adjustable long-time, short-time, instantaneous, and ground-fault protection. Communication function is built in, so it can talk to a higher-level energy management or SCADA system — useful for a facility that tracks breaker status and load profiles centrally.
Panel integration and mounting
Dimensions are 105 mm wide by 181 mm tall by 86 mm deep. The 105 mm width per 3-pole frame is the SENTRON 3VA2 footprint. Rated insulation voltage is 800 V, which covers 690 V systems with margin. Operating temperature range is -25 °C to 70 °C, storage from -40 °C to 80 °C. Maximum power loss is 12.5 W — negligible for thermal budgeting in a multi-breaker panel, but worth noting if the enclosure is sealed and densely packed.