The Siemens SENTRON 3VA2116-6HN32-0AJ0 is a 3-pole molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) rated for a continuous current Iu of 160 A, carrying an ETU350 electronic trip unit for line protection. This is the breaker you spec when you need adjustable overload and short-circuit protection in a compact 105 mm wide footprint — common in distribution panels feeding motor control centers or as a main disconnect for sub-distribution boards.
Interrupting capacity and what it means for your fault level
At 240 V this breaker interrupts 242 kA — that's the highest short-circuit current it can safely clear without welding contacts or rupturing the case. At 415 V and 440 V it still handles 187 kA; at 500 V it drops to 121 kA; at 690 V it's rated 5 kA. For a 160 A frame, those are high-interrupt ratings, meaning this unit belongs in a high-fault location — close to a transformer or a large service entrance — where available fault current can exceed 100 kA. The 690 V rating is low enough that you'd verify the actual fault current at that voltage before committing.
Thermal derating — don't lose capacity in a hot panel
The 160 A rating holds steady from 40 °C through 50 °C ambient. At 55 °C you derate to 154 A, at 60 °C to 148 A, at 65 °C to 142 A, and at 70 °C to 136 A. If this breaker sits in a sealed enclosure near other heat sources, check the actual internal ambient — you may need to upsize the frame or provide forced ventilation to keep the full 160 A. The maximum operating temperature is 70 °C; storage range is -40 °C to 80 °C.
Trip unit and auxiliary contacts
The ETU350 is an electronic trip unit — adjustable overload (Ir), short-time (Isd), and instantaneous (Ii) settings via DIP switches or rotary dials on the front face. It gives you coordination flexibility that a fixed thermal-magnetic cannot. The breaker ships with 2 auxiliary switches plus 1 trip alarm switch (HP type), so you get status feedback for SCADA or a local annunciator without adding an external accessory block. No undervoltage release, no shunt trip, no ground-fault monitoring on this variant — those are add-on modules if needed.
Physical fit and panel integration
Dimensions are 105 mm wide by 181 mm high by 86 mm deep. That 105 mm width is standard for a 160 A frame in the 3VA platform — it mounts via screw terminals or rear-connect busbars onto a DIN rail or a mounting plate. The front face carries IP40 protection, so it's fine for a typical IP54 or IP65 enclosure interior; just don't expose the front to direct hose-down. Three poles, line side on top, load side on bottom — straightforward bus or cable connection.