What this MCCB is and what it does
The Siemens 3VA2116-5HN32-0BC0 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. Its 3-pole design handles line protection in distribution panels, switchboards, and motor control centers where a fixed thermal-magnetic or electronic trip unit is specified. The interrupting capacity reaches 187 kA at 240 V AC, 121 kA at 415/440 V, 75.6 kA at 500 V, and 3.7 kA at 690 V, covering high-fault service-entrance and sub-distribution applications.
Ratings that govern the fit
The 160 A continuous rating is flat from 40 °C to 70 °C ambient — no thermal derating curve to chase. That simplifies panel airflow planning: the breaker delivers its full nameplate even in a warm enclosure. The 187 kA at 240 V is the highest short-circuit rating on this frame; at 690 V the 3.7 kA figure reflects the arc-extinction limits of a 3-pole MCCB at line-to-line voltage. For a 480 V distribution board the 75.6 kA at 500 V is the relevant number — it safely interrupts faults up to that level without cascading upstream.
Built-in auxiliaries and release
This variant ships with two auxiliary switches (HQ design) and an undervoltage release (UVR) factory-installed. The UVR trips the breaker when control voltage drops below a threshold — standard for emergency-stop circuits and undervoltage protection on motor feeders. The auxiliary switches provide status feedback (open/closed/tripped) to a PLC or indication panel without adding a separate accessory module. Maximum power loss is 28 W at rated current, which matters for enclosure heat-load calculations.
Physical fit and panel integration
Dimensions are 105 mm wide, 181 mm high, and 86 mm deep — a standard 3-pole MCCB footprint for DIN-rail or direct-panel mounting. The 105 mm width matches the common 4-module (4 x 27 mm) spacing on DIN-rail, though this breaker typically bolts to a mounting plate in a switchboard rather than snapping onto a rail. Verify the bus-bar or cable-connection clearance against the 86 mm depth plus any rear-connection adapters.