The Siemens SENTRON 3VA2116-6HL32-0JL0 is a 3-pole molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) rated for 160 A continuous current, configured as a line protection device with an ETU320 electronic overcurrent release. This is the version that includes a shunt trip (STL) auxiliary release and a full complement of signaling contacts: 2 auxiliary switches, 1 trip alarm switch, and 1 electrical alarm switch (HQ configuration). The interrupting capacity varies by system voltage — 242 kA at 240 V, 187 kA at 415 V and 440 V, 121 kA at 500 V, and 5 kA at 690 V — so selectivity studies need to reference the specific voltage on your distribution bus.
Ratings and thermal derating
The 160 A rating holds flat from 40 °C through 50 °C ambient. Above that, derate linearly: 154 A at 55 °C, 148 A at 60 °C, 142 A at 65 °C, and 136 A at 70 °C. If your panel internal ambient runs above 50 °C — common in a tightly packed enclosure with upstream devices — size the breaker for the derated current, not the nameplate 160 A. The maximum power loss is 25.5 W, which factors into the enclosure thermal budget.
Physical fit and integration
Dimensions are 105 mm wide, 181 mm high, and 86 mm deep. The 105 mm width is a standard 3-pole MCCB footprint for this frame size — it occupies three 35 mm DIN-rail modules. The 86 mm depth includes the handle and terminal towers; verify clearance behind the panel door for the shunt trip wiring and auxiliary contact harness. The base breaker without the auxiliaries is order code 3VA2116-6HL32-0AA0; the integrated auxiliary trip module is 3VA9688-0BL32.
Auxiliary and alarm contacts
The HQ auxiliary contact block provides 2 form-C auxiliary switches, 1 trip-alarm switch (signals that the breaker tripped on a fault, not a manual open), and 1 electrical alarm switch. This is a signaling-heavy configuration suited for remote monitoring of the breaker state and fault events. If your application only needs a single auxiliary contact, a lower-configuration variant (e.g., 3VA2116-5HL32-0AK0) may be a closer fit — but that variant lacks the trip alarm and second auxiliary switch, so verify your PLC input count before substituting.