Siemens SENTRON 3VA2163-5JQ32-0CH0 — 63 A MCCB with Undervoltage Release and Communication
The Siemens SENTRON 3VA2163-5JQ32-0CH0 is a 3-pole molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) rated for line protection, carrying a continuous current of 63 A across the full ambient temperature range from 40 °C to 70 °C — no derating needed up to that ceiling. Its interrupting capacity hits 187 kA at 240 V, 121 kA at 415/440 V, and still delivers 75.6 kA at 500 V, so it handles high-fault scenarios downstream of large transformers without cascading upstream. The 86 mm depth and 105 mm width fit standard panel footprints, and the integrated undervoltage release (UVR) drops the breaker on loss of control voltage — a common requirement for emergency-stop chains and safety circuits. The auxiliary switch configuration — two auxiliary switches plus one trip alarm switch (HQ designation) — gives the panel builder feedback contacts for status indication and PLC inputs without adding external relays. The communication function means this breaker can integrate into a networked power monitoring scheme, though the specific protocol isn't listed in the basic spec; expect PROFIBUS or PROFINET capability typical of the SENTRON 3VA2 platform.
What the Ratings Mean for Fit
The 63 A rating is flat from 40 °C to 70 °C — no thermal derating curve to calculate for warm enclosures. That simplifies panel design in non-climate-controlled environments. The 187 kA at 240 V is the headline interrupting capacity; at 690 V it drops to 3.7 kA, so verify the available fault current at your service voltage. The 6.5 W maximum power loss means minimal heat contribution inside a crowded enclosure — relevant when stacking multiple breakers on a DIN rail assembly. The undervoltage release (UVR) is factory-integrated, not a field-addon kit. That saves installation labor but locks the BOM to this specific order code if UVR is required. The trip indicator provides local mechanical flag for troubleshooting — no need to power a display to see if the breaker tripped on fault.
Panel Integration and Mounting
Dimensions of 105 mm wide × 181 mm tall × 86 mm deep (4.13 × 7.13 × 3.39 inches) place it in the standard SENTRON 3VA2 footprint. It mounts via screw-on lugs or busbar connection, not snap-on DIN rail — typical for MCCBs at this frame size. The 3-pole design with neutral switching handled externally (no integrated neutral pole in this variant) means the panel layout should allocate space for a separate neutral bar or 4-pole breaker if full isolation is required.