What it is and what it does
The Siemens SENTRON 3VA2163-5HL32-0JA0 is a 3-pole molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) rated for 63 A continuous current, designed for line protection in distribution panels and industrial switchgear. Its breaking capacity scales with system voltage: 187 kA at 240 V AC, 121 kA at 415 V and 440 V, 75.6 kA at 500 V, and 3.7 kA at 690 V — so the same breaker covers everything from 240 V lighting panels to 690 V motor control centers, as long as the available fault current at the point of installation stays under those limits. The adjustable thermal-magnetic trip unit covers a 95 A minimum to 756 A maximum range, giving the integrator flexibility to coordinate downstream protection without swapping the breaker frame. Rated insulation voltage is 800 V, so the breaker is suitable for 690 V line-to-line systems with margin on the insulation coordination.
Built-in shunt trip for remote disconnect
This variant ships with a shunt trip (STL) auxiliary release built in — a voltage-triggered coil that lets a remote signal (E-stop, PLC output, fire alarm relay) trip the breaker open without an operator at the handle. No undervoltage release, no ground-fault monitoring, and no communication module on this order code — it's a straightforward line-protection MCCB with a shunt trip for emergency or remote disconnect duty.
Panel fit and thermal performance
Dimensions are 105 mm wide by 181 mm tall by 86 mm deep — a standard 3-pole MCCB footprint that drops into most SENTRON panelboard and switchboard mounting bases without re-drilling. The breaker is rated for full 63 A continuous current across the entire ambient temperature range from 40 °C to 70 °C — no derating needed in a hot panel, which is rare for a compact MCCB. Maximum power loss at rated current is 4 W, so heat buildup in a densely packed enclosure stays manageable. Operating temperature range is -25 °C to +70 °C; storage range is -40 °C to +80 °C — fine for unheated warehouses or outdoor enclosures in temperate climates.