SENTRON 3VA2 MCCB, 100 A frame, ETU560 — what the ratings mean for fit
The Siemens 3VA2110-5JQ32-0CL0 is a SENTRON molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) in the 3VA2 platform, configured for line protection with an ETU560 electronic trip unit. It's a 3-pole, 100 A continuous-rated frame (Iu = 100 A) that carries a rated insulation voltage of 800 V. The key selection figure is the interrupting capacity: 187 kA at 240 V AC, 121 kA at 415 V and 440 V, 79 kA at 500 V, and 4.25 kA at 690 V. That 187 kA at 240 V means this breaker can safely clear a fault at the full available short-circuit current of a large industrial transformer — it's sized for high-fault panels, not light commercial service. The ETU560 is a microprocessor-based overcurrent release with adjustable long-time, short-time, and instantaneous pickup settings, plus ground-fault protection via summation current sensing on the L-conductor. That ground-fault method sums the phase currents to detect imbalance — it catches arcing faults to ground without a separate neutral CT. The breaker also includes an undervoltage release (UVR) and a communication function, so it can be integrated into a power-monitoring or remote-trip scheme. Thermal derating starts at 55 °C: the breaker carries 100 A up to 50 °C, then drops to 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 the panel ambient runs hot — say, next to a drive cabinet or in a non-ventilated enclosure — size the load at the derated value, not the 100 A nameplate. Operating range is -25 °C to 70 °C, storage from -40 °C to 80 °C.
Auxiliary contacts and trip alarm — what's wired in
This variant ships with a full auxiliary contact block: 2 auxiliary switches (form C), 1 trip alarm switch, and 1 electrical alarm switch. That's four discrete signal outputs from one breaker — enough to feed a PLC input card for status, trip, and alarm without adding a separate contactor or relay. The trip alarm switch changes state only on a fault trip (not manual open), so a maintenance team can distinguish a deliberate isolation from a short-circuit event. The integrated auxiliary trip module carries order code 3VA9608-0BB24.
Panel fit — dimensions and mounting
The breaker footprint is 105 mm wide, 181 mm tall, and 86 mm deep. That 86 mm depth includes the case body but not the handle throw or rear terminals — account for an extra 20–30 mm behind the panel for lug clearance and cable bend radius. The 105 mm width means it occupies three 35 mm DIN-rail modules (standard 17.5 mm per pole), so it fits a standard 600 mm wide enclosure with room for side-feed busbars. Maximum power loss is 12.5 W; at full load, that heat has to be dissipated inside the enclosure, so check the cabinet thermal budget if the panel is tightly packed.
Compliance and documentation
As a Siemens SENTRON MCCB, this part carries IEC 60947-2 certification for molded case circuit breakers. The product designation and line protection version align with the standard's requirements for overcurrent protection in industrial distribution. Compliance documentation (RoHS, REACH, UL file) is available from Siemens on request — the breaker is designed for global panel builds, but verify the specific UL listing for the 187 kA interrupting rating at 240 V if the job requires UL 489.