Siemens SENTRON 3VA2116-5HL36-0KH0 — 160 A MCCB for Line Protection
The Siemens 3VA2116-5HL36-0KH0 is a SENTRON molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) rated for 160 A continuous current across the full ambient range from 40 °C to 70 °C — no derating needed up to that ceiling. It is a 3-pole unit designed specifically for line protection, meaning it guards the feeder cable and bus against overloads and short circuits, not motor or generator protection. Breaking capacity is the headline here: 187 kA at 240 V AC, 121 kA at 415 V and 440 V, 75.6 kA at 500 V, and 3.7 kA at 690 V. That 187 kA figure at 240 V is exceptionally high — it means this breaker can safely interrupt a fault current of that magnitude without welding contacts or rupturing the case, which is critical for high-fault panels near large transformers or in industrial mains distribution. The breaker ships with a shunt trip release (STL) and a configurable auxiliary switch block: 2 auxiliary switches plus 1 trip alarm switch HQ. The shunt trip lets you remotely open the breaker via a control signal — useful for emergency-stop circuits or interlocking with a fire alarm panel. The trip alarm switch provides a separate signal path that closes only when the breaker trips on fault, distinct from the auxiliary switches that follow the main contact position.
Lifecycle & Sourcing
The 3VA2116-5HL36-0KH0 is sourced and quoted to order against an RFQ through independent distribution. Availability and current pricing are confirmed at quote time. If you are holding a line-down situation or a project deadline, send the RFQ with your target quantity and ship-to region.
Physical Fit & Panel Integration
Dimensions: 181 mm height, 105 mm width, 86 mm depth. That 105 mm width is the standard 3-pole MCCB footprint for this SENTRON frame size — it fits the same panel cutout and DIN-rail adapter as other 3VA2 breakers in the 160 A class. The 86 mm depth includes the handle and terminal covers; verify clearance against the enclosure door and any busbar shroud. Power loss is 25.5 W maximum at rated current. That matters for thermal management inside a sealed enclosure — if you are grouping several breakers in a small panel, the cumulative heat may require ventilation or a larger cabinet. At 25.5 W per breaker, a 6-breaker lineup adds over 150 W of heat to the enclosure.
Environmental & Compliance
Operating temperature range: -25 °C to +70 °C. Storage range: -40 °C to +80 °C. The storage limits are wider because the breaker is not carrying current or switching during storage — that range governs handling and warehousing, not running conditions. The SENTRON 3VA series carries IEC 60947-2 certification for MCCBs. Compliance documentation (CE, UKCA, EAC, and UL/CSA for applicable variants) is available from Siemens. The part is RoHS and REACH compliant. No ground-fault monitoring version is fitted on this order code — that is a separate variant if you need GFCI functionality.