What the ratings mean for fit
The Siemens SENTRON 3VA2140-6HL36-0AA0 is a 3-pole molded case circuit breaker rated for line protection, carrying a continuous current Iu of 40 A across the full ambient range from 40 °C to 70 °C — no derating needed up to that ceiling. That 40 A hold at 70 °C is unusual for an MCCB; most competitors start pulling current back above 40 °C. The interrupting capacity tells the real story: 242 kA at 240 V, 187 kA at 415 V, and still 121 kA at 500 V. Those numbers mean this breaker can sit on the line side of a high-fault industrial panel — a 480 V switchgear lineup or a transformer secondary — without needing a current-limiting fuse upstream. The 3.7 kA at 690 V is a drop-off, but that's a niche voltage for this frame size.
Panel fit and footprint
The 3VA2140-6HL36-0AA0 measures 105 mm wide, 181 mm tall, and 86 mm deep — a standard 3-pole MCCB footprint for a 160 A frame. It mounts on a DIN rail or can be screw-fixed to a backplate. The IP40 front protection means it's fine in a closed cabinet; keep it out of washdown zones unless the enclosure provides the seal. The 1.6 W maximum power loss is low enough that ventilation spacing in a typical panel won't need rethinking.
Trip unit and release options
The overcurrent release is an ETU320 — an electronic trip unit with fixed thermal and magnetic settings, no communication function, no voltage trigger, and no undervoltage release. No ground-fault monitoring version is fitted. The motor drive option is available as an extension, meaning remote charging or closing can be added later without swapping the breaker. The 800 V rated insulation voltage (Ui) covers most 480 V and 600 V class systems with margin.