What this MCCB is and what it does
The Siemens SENTRON 3VA2163-5HN32-0JA0 is a three-pole molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) rated for line protection in distribution panels. It carries a continuous current of 63 A across the full ambient temperature range from 40 °C up to 70 °C — no derating needed in a warm enclosure. The interrupting capacity hits 187 kA at 240 V AC and still delivers 121 kA at 415 V, which puts it in the high-fault tier for industrial switchgear. That kind of headroom means it can clear a bolted fault downstream without the upstream breaker having to trip, so selectivity stays intact. A built-in shunt trip release (STL) lets a remote signal — fire alarm, emergency-stop relay, or a PLC output — force the breaker open without anyone pulling the handle. The part is designed for panel mounting; its 105 mm width and 86 mm depth fit standard MCCB cutouts, and the 181 mm height leaves room for cable entry below the line lugs.
Breaking capacity across voltages — what it means for your fault study
This breaker's interrupting rating drops as system voltage rises: 187 kA at 240 V, 121 kA at 415 V and 440 V, 75.6 kA at 500 V, and 3.7 kA at 690 V. If your panel feeds a 480 V motor control center, the 75.6 kA figure at 500 V is the one to compare against your available fault current — not the headline 187 kA. The 3.7 kA at 690 V is low enough that this breaker is not suited for 690 V main feeders unless the fault current is known to be very small.
Environmental tolerance and panel integration
The breaker operates from -25 °C to 70 °C and can be stored from -40 °C to 80 °C, so it handles unheated warehouses and hot enclosures alike. Power loss is 4 W maximum — negligible for thermal budget inside a packed panel. The 86 mm depth and 105 mm width match the standard Siemens 3VA mounting footprint, so it drops into existing cutouts without rework.