What this MCCB delivers — and what the ratings mean for your panel
The Siemens SENTRON 3VA2116-5HL42-0BC0 is a 4-pole molded case circuit breaker rated for 160 A continuous current across the full ambient range from 40 °C to 70 °C — no derating needed up to that ceiling, which simplifies panel thermal budgeting in a crowded enclosure. Breaking capacity hits 187 kA at 240 V AC and stays at 121 kA through 440 V, then drops to 75.6 kA at 500 V and 3.7 kA at 690 V. That 187 kA figure at 240 V means it can interrupt very high fault currents on a low-voltage distribution bus without upstream fuses having to clear first — useful for main or tie-breaker positions where the available fault current is high.
Built-in undervoltage release and auxiliary switching
This breaker ships with an undervoltage release (UVR) integrated — the design-of-auxiliary-release field confirms it as a UVR, not a shunt trip. That means it automatically trips when supply voltage drops below a threshold, which is standard for motor feeder protection or emergency-stop chains where you want the breaker open on loss of control power. It also carries two auxiliary switches (HQ design) for status feedback to a PLC or panel lamp. No communication function on this variant; it's a standalone line-protection device, not a power-monitoring breaker.
Physical fit and panel integration
Dimensions are 140 mm wide, 181 mm tall, 86 mm deep — the 4-pole width is the critical panel cutout dimension. Mounts on a DIN rail or direct panel-mount via the SENTRON 3VA accessory base. The 86 mm depth (3.39 in) leaves clearance for rear-connected busbars or cable lugs in a standard 200 mm deep enclosure. Operating temperature range is -25 °C to 70 °C; storage from -40 °C to 80 °C.
Power loss and thermal management
Maximum power loss is 28 W at rated current — that's the heat the breaker dissipates into the enclosure. For a multi-breaker panel, sum these losses to size ventilation or forced cooling. At 160 A continuous, the 28 W figure is typical for a 4-pole MCCB of this class; no derating required up to 70 °C ambient, which simplifies coordination with other heat sources in the cabinet.