SENTRON 3VA2 — 160 A, 3-Pole MCCB for Line Protection
The Siemens SENTRON 3VA2116-5KP32-0HL0 is a 3-pole molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) rated for 160 A continuous current, designed specifically for line protection in distribution panels and switchboards. It carries a maximum breaking capacity of 187 kA at 240 V AC, with the curve dropping to 121 kA at 415 V and 440 V, 75.6 kA at 500 V, and 3.7 kA at 690 V — so the 240 V figure governs most North American low-voltage service entrance applications, while the 415 V rating is the one to check for 400 V-class European or Asian distribution.
What the Ratings Mean for Your Panel
At 160 A continuous (rated current) across the full ambient range from 40 °C to 70 °C, this breaker does not derate with rising panel temperature — that is unusual for an MCCB and means you can size the busbar and enclosure for a steady 160 A load without thermal headroom calculations. The 3-pole construction fits standard 3-phase distribution; the 105 mm width and 86 mm depth (4.13 in × 3.39 in) match the SENTRON 3VA2 family footprint, so it drops into an existing panel cutout or DIN-rail adapter without re-drilling. The line protection design means the thermal-magnetic trip curve is optimized for cable and busbar protection, not motor starting — pair it with a separate overload relay if feeding a motor directly.
Auxiliary Switching and Release Configuration
This variant ships with a shunt trip release (STL) and a full auxiliary switch complement: 2 auxiliary switches + 1 trip alarm switch + 1 electrical alarm switch (HQ configuration). That means you get remote trip capability via the shunt release and four separate signal contacts for status feedback — useful for PLC-based monitoring or safety circuits that need to know breaker position independently of the main contacts. The base switch itself is order code 3VA21165KP320AA0; the -0HL0 suffix adds the shunt trip and the HQ auxiliary block.