What it is and what it does
The Siemens SENTRON 3VA2163-5MN36-0AF0 is a 3-pole molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) rated for 63 A continuous current across its full ambient temperature range from -25 °C to 70 °C — no derating needed up to that ceiling. It is specifically designed for motor protection, with integrated phase failure detection and a trip indicator, so it catches a lost phase before the winding overheats. The interrupting ratings are substantial: 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. That 187 kA figure at 240 V means it handles high available fault current on the secondary side of a distribution transformer without needing a current-limiting fuse upstream.
Motor protection specifics
This MCCB ships with a 1 auxiliary switch plus 1 trip alarm switch HQ configuration, so the control system gets both a status signal and a separate alarm on fault. The base switch is order code 3VA21635MN360AA0. Power loss is 4 W maximum — negligible for panel thermal budgeting. It has no undervoltage release, no ground-fault monitoring, and no communication function. This is a straight motor-protection breaker: phase failure detection and thermal-magnetic trip, nothing more. For a motor branch circuit that is exactly what you want — fewer failure points.
Panel fit and dimensions
Dimensions: 181 mm height, 105 mm width, 86 mm depth. That 86 mm depth is the body only — allow clearance for the arc chute exhaust and lug landing space. The 105 mm width is standard for a 3-pole MCCB in this frame size, so it swaps into existing SENTRON or comparable panel layouts without re-drilling the mounting plate.