SENTRON 3VA — 160 A line protection MCCB
The Siemens SENTRON 3VA2116-5JQ36-0AA0 is a 3-pole molded case circuit breaker rated for 160 A continuous current, designed for line protection in distribution panels. It carries an 800 V rated insulation voltage and a 25.5 W maximum power loss at full load — the thermal budget you need to account for in a sealed enclosure. Breaking capacity is the headline spec here: 187 kA at 240 V, 121 kA at 415 V and 440 V, 75.6 kA at 500 V, and 3.7 kA at 690 V. That 187 kA at 240 V tells you this breaker is sized for high-fault locations — main distribution boards close to a transformer, or industrial feeds where the available short-circuit current is substantial. At 690 V the 3.7 kA figure governs; verify your system's prospective fault current at that voltage level before specifying. Ground-fault monitoring is built in via summation current formation on the L-conductor — no separate module needed for that function. Communication function is present (the listing confirms it), which means this breaker can integrate with a power monitoring system for remote trip indication and load data.
Lifecycle and sourcing posture
Lifecycle stage is listed as current — this is an active-production part within the SENTRON 3VA family. No end-of-life notice or last-time-buy trigger on this code. Sourced to order against an RFQ through independent distribution; availability and current pricing confirmed at quote time.
Panel integration and physical fit
Dimensions are 181 mm height, 105 mm width, 86 mm depth. The 105 mm width is standard for a 3-pole MCCB in this class — it fits the standard mounting footprint in SENTRON distribution boards and most third-party enclosures with a 105 mm cutout. Depth of 86 mm leaves clearance for rear-connected busbars or cable entry.
Thermal performance and operating range
The 160 A rating holds flat from 40 °C through 70 °C ambient — no derating needed across that span, which is unusual for a molded case breaker and simplifies panel thermal calculations. Operating temperature range is -25 °C to 70 °C; storage range -40 °C to 80 °C.