What this MCCB is and what it does
The Siemens 3VA2163-6HL36-0BL0 is a SENTRON molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) rated for 63 A continuous current, 3-pole, designed for line protection in distribution panels. Its 242 kA interrupting rating at 240 V AC means it can safely clear a fault up to that level without upstream devices needing to trip — critical for high-fault locations like service entrances or transformer secondaries. At 415 V and 440 V it still holds 187 kA, dropping to 121 kA at 500 V and 3.7 kA at 690 V, so the voltage-dependent breaking curve governs where you place it in the system.
Key ratings and what they mean for fit
The 63 A continuous rating holds flat from 40 °C through 70 °C ambient — no derating needed in a warm enclosure, which is unusual for a compact MCCB. The 95 A minimum trip threshold and 756 A maximum adjustment range on the electronic trip unit let you fine-tune overload protection to the downstream load without swapping the breaker body. Power loss is 6.5 W maximum, so heat buildup in a multi-breaker panel is manageable. The auxiliary switch complement — 2 auxiliary switches plus a trip alarm and an electrical alarm switch — gives the BMS or PLC a clean status signal for open, tripped, and alarm conditions without adding external relays. An undervoltage release (UVR) is built in, so the breaker drops out on a brownout or planned shutdown — common in safety circuits where you want the load isolated when control power fails.
Where it goes in the panel
At 105 mm wide, 181 mm tall, and 86 mm deep, this 3-pole MCCB fits standard Siemens 3VA2 panelboard and switchboard mounting patterns. The depth is the critical dimension for retrofit into existing enclosures — 86 mm (3.39 in) is shallow enough for most 200 mm deep cabinets with wiring space behind.