What it is and what it does
The Siemens SENTRON 3VA2163-5KP32-0DL0 is a 3-pole molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) rated for 63 A continuous current across the full ambient range from 40 °C to 70 °C — no derating needed as the panel warms up. It is designed for line protection, meaning it sits at the incoming feed to a distribution panel or machine disconnect, not downstream on a branch circuit. The 187 kA interrupting rating at 240 V is the headline number: that is the fault current it can safely clear without welding its contacts or rupturing the case, sized for high-capacity services where available fault current is well above typical residential levels.
What the interrupting ratings mean in the field
This breaker carries a 187 kA interrupting rating at 240 V, dropping to 121 kA at 415 V and 440 V, then to 75.6 kA at 500 V, and finally 3.7 kA at 690 V. That curve tells you the part is optimized for low-voltage high-fault environments — think 240 V industrial services or 400 V distribution where the transformer is large enough to push fault current into the tens of kiloamps. At 690 V the rating drops sharply because arc extinction is harder at higher voltage; if your panel is 690 V with high fault current, this breaker is not the right fit. The 63 A continuous rating holds steady from 40 °C through 70 °C, so you can pack it into a warm enclosure without recalculating.
Panel integration notes
The 3VA2163-5KP32-0DL0 measures 86 mm deep, 105 mm wide, and 181 mm tall. It includes a trip indicator, undervoltage release, and a communication function. The auxiliary switch complement is 2 auxiliary switches plus 1 trip alarm switch plus 1 electrical alarm switch HQ.
How it compares to the 3VA1110 series
The closest functional peer in the SENTRON family is the 3VA1110-5EF32-0AM0, a 3-pole MCCB with a lower interrupting rating and a different accessory set. The 3VA2163 carries a 63 A continuous rating and the high 187 kA at 240 V; the 3VA1110 series is typically a 16 A to 63 A frame with interrupting ratings up to 100 kA at 240 V. If your panel was specified around the 3VA1110, the 3VA2163 will not drop in without checking the mounting footprint and busbar pitch — the 3VA2 frame is physically larger (105 mm wide vs. the 3VA1's 70 mm width), so panel cutouts and busbar spacing must be verified. The 3VA2163 also adds communication capability and a richer auxiliary switch complement, which the base 3VA1110 lacks.