Product identity and key ratings
The Siemens SENTRON 3VA2116-6JQ46-0AA0 is a 4-pole molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) rated for line protection. Its continuous current rating is 160 A, with an adjustable overload trip range from 240 A minimum to 1 600 A maximum — meaning the breaker can be coordinated to protect feeders or large branch circuits within that window. Breaking capacity varies sharply by system voltage: 242 kA at 240 V, 187 kA at 415 V and 440 V, 121 kA at 500 V, and 3.7 kA at 690 V. That 690 V figure is low enough that the breaker is effectively a 500 V-class device for high-fault applications; at 690 V the available fault current must be verified against the 3.7 kA limit. The insulation voltage is rated 800 V, so the breaker can be applied in 690 V systems where the upstream transformer neutral is solidly grounded, provided the fault current at that voltage stays within the 3.7 kA interrupting rating.
Selectivity and coordination
The adjustable overload range (240 A minimum to 1 600 A maximum) allows this 160 A frame to be set for selective coordination with downstream breakers. The 160 A continuous rating at 40 °C through 70 °C — flat across the entire temperature band — means no derating is needed in warm enclosures, a practical advantage for panel builders who cannot guarantee ambient below 40 °C. Power loss is 25.5 W maximum at rated current. That figure feeds the enclosure thermal budget; for a multi-breaker lineup, summing the losses determines whether forced ventilation is required.
Lifecycle and sourcing
The 3VA2116-6JQ46-0AA0 carries communication function and summation-current ground-fault monitoring (L + N conductor), features that differentiate it from simpler frame variants. If the customer's approved manufacturer list specifies these options, no deviation is needed.
Panel fit and environmental limits
Dimensions are 86 mm depth, 140 mm width, 181 mm height. The 140 mm width is the standard 4-pole MCCB footprint for this frame size; verify the panel cutout and bus-bar spacing against these figures before committing the BOM line. Operating temperature range is -25 °C to 70 °C; storage range is -40 °C to 80 °C. The storage minimum is the handling limit — the breaker can be warehoused in unheated facilities, but commissioning below -25 °C is not supported.