The Siemens SENTRON 3VA2116-5JQ32-0CH0 is a 3-pole molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) rated for line protection at 160 A full-scale, with a breaking capacity of 187 kA at 240 V and 121 kA at 415 V. It includes an undervoltage release and a communication function, making it suited for monitored distribution panels where remote trip indication and coordinated selectivity are required.
Key ratings and what they mean for fit
The 160 A continuous rating holds flat from 40 °C through 70 °C — no derating curve to calculate for warm enclosures or summer ambient spikes. At 70 °C ambient, it still carries the full 160 A, which simplifies panel thermal budgeting. Breaking capacity steps from 187 kA at 240 V down to 3.7 kA at 690 V. The 121 kA at 415 V covers most industrial low-voltage fault levels in IEC 60947-2 installations; the 75.6 kA at 500 V handles higher-voltage motor circuits. At 690 V the 3.7 kA limit means this breaker is not the primary fault-interrupting device for 690 V feeds — use it as a downstream branch protector where the upstream device limits let-through. The 28 W maximum power loss at rated load matters for enclosure heat rise calculations — in a sealed stainless panel (common in food-and-bev washdown zones) that 28 W per breaker adds up across multiple poles and must be factored into the cooling budget.
Integration and deployment context
The 86 mm depth, 105 mm width, and 181 mm height footprint fits standard SENTRON 3VA panel cutouts. The auxiliary switch configuration — 2 auxiliary switches plus 1 trip alarm switch HQ — provides separate NO/NC contacts for remote status and a dedicated alarm on trip, which simplifies wiring to a PLC input card or a building management system. The undervoltage release (UVR) is built in, so the breaker automatically opens when control voltage drops below the dropout threshold — a common requirement for safety circuits that need loss-of-voltage protection on a machine feed.