What it is and what it does
The Siemens SENTRON 3VA2116-6HL32-0BL0 is a 3-pole 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. It is designed for line protection, meaning it sits at the feeder or main distribution point in a panel, clearing faults before they cascade downstream. The interrupting ratings are what set this frame apart: 242 kA at 240 V, 187 kA at 415 V and at 440 V, 121 kA at 500 V, and 3.7 kA at 690 V. That 242 kA at 240 V is a high-fault rating — it safely interrupts a short-circuit current up to that level without rupturing, which matters when the transformer or upstream utility can deliver that kind of energy. It includes an undervoltage release (UVR) as the auxiliary release, plus a configurable auxiliary switch block: 2 auxiliary switches + 1 trip alarm switch + 1 electrical alarm switch HQ. The trip indicator is present, and the maximum power loss is 28 W — useful for thermal budgeting inside a sealed enclosure.
Panel fit and mounting
Dimensions are 105 mm wide, 181 mm high, 86 mm deep — a standard 3-pole MCCB footprint for a 160 A frame. Operating temperature range is -25 °C to 70 °C; storage from -40 °C to 80 °C. The 160 A rating holds flat across the operating band — no derating curve to calculate for typical industrial ambient conditions.