MCCB for high-fault panels — 160 A, 187 kA SCCR at 240 V
The Siemens SENTRON 3VA2116-5KP32-0BA0 is a 3-pole molded case circuit breaker rated for 160 A continuous current, with a short-circuit breaking capacity of 187 kA at 240 V, 121 kA at 415 V and 440 V, 79 kA at 500 V, and 4.25 kA at 690 V — the 187 kA figure at 240 V tells you this breaker is built for high-fault-current main service entrances or transformer secondaries where the available fault current is extreme. It carries the ETU850 electronic trip unit, which gives you adjustable long-time, short-time, instantaneous, and ground-fault protection curves — this is a selective breaker meant to coordinate with downstream devices, not just a thermal-magnetic on/off. Rated insulation voltage Ui is 800 V, so it handles 690 V systems with margin; the 160 A rating holds flat from 40 °C through 50 °C, then derates to 154 A at 55 °C, 148 A at 60 °C, 142 A at 65 °C, and 136 A at 70 °C — if your panel ambient runs hot, you lose 24 A by the time you hit 70 °C. This breaker includes an undervoltage release (UVR) and has a communication function onboard — the UVR lets you trip the breaker remotely on loss of control voltage, and the communication function means it can report status or accept commands over a bus, which matters for automated or monitored distribution panels.
Panel fit — dimensions and mounting
The breaker measures 105 mm wide, 181 mm high, and 86 mm deep — the 105 mm width is the standard 3-pole MCCB footprint for this SENTRON frame size, so it drops into existing panel cutouts and busbar arrangements designed for the 3VA2 family without re-drilling. Maximum power loss is 28 W — plan for that heat inside the enclosure; it is not negligible in a sealed cabinet.