What this MCCB is and what it protects
The Siemens 3VA2163-5MN36-0HH0 is a SENTRON molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) designed specifically for motor protection — not just a general-purpose feeder breaker. It carries a continuous current rating of 63 A across the full ambient temperature range from 40 °C up to 70 °C, meaning no derating is needed as the panel warms up during a production shift. The 3-pole construction handles three-phase motor loads, and the integrated phase failure detection trips the breaker if one phase drops out, which prevents single-phasing damage to the motor windings. Breaking capacity is the headline number for an MCCB: this unit interrupts 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. At typical industrial 400 V class supply, the 121 kA rating means it can safely clear a bolted fault on a high-capacity transformer secondary without the arc re-striking or the case rupturing. That puts it in the high-interrupting category — suitable for main or large sub-feed positions where fault current is substantial.
Motor protection features and auxiliary wiring
The motor protection design means the trip curve is shaped to allow motor inrush without nuisance tripping, while still protecting against overload and short circuit. The breaker includes a shunt trip release (STL) for remote opening via a control signal — useful for emergency-stop circuits or PLC-controlled disconnects. It also comes with two auxiliary switches plus one trip alarm switch (HQ), giving feedback on breaker position and whether it tripped on fault versus manual open. That alarm contact can drive a panel light or a PLC input to flag a fault condition immediately. There is no undervoltage release fitted as standard, and no ground-fault monitoring version. If UVR or GF protection is required, those are separate accessory additions. The breaker has no communication function onboard — it is a standalone protective device, not a smart breaker with integrated metering or networking.
Panel fit and environmental limits
Physical footprint: 105 mm wide, 181 mm tall, 86 mm deep. That width is standard for a 3-pole MCCB in the SENTRON 3VA2 frame — it occupies three 35 mm DIN-rail module spaces, so plan for that in the panel layout. The depth of 86 mm means it clears a standard 120 mm deep enclosure with room for wiring behind the breaker. Operating temperature range is -25 °C to 70 °C, storage from -40 °C to 80 °C. Maximum power dissipation is 4 W, which is low enough that no special ventilation is needed in a typical enclosed panel — just standard thermal management. The trip indicator and voltage trigger are present, giving visual and electrical status of the trip condition.