The Siemens 3VA2163-6HL36-0JL0 is a SENTRON molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) rated for 63 A continuous current across the full 40 °C to 70 °C ambient range — no derating needed up to that ceiling. It is a 3-pole unit designed for line protection, meaning it sits at the incoming feeder or main distribution point rather than on a specific load branch. The interrupting capacity is the headline number here: 242 kA at 240 V, dropping to 187 kA at 415/440 V, 121 kA at 500 V, and 3.7 kA at 690 V. That 242 kA rating at 240 V tells you this breaker handles high-fault-current scenarios typical of large transformer-fed panels or industrial service entrances where available fault current is substantial.
Fit and footprint for panel integration
The 3VA2163-6HL36-0JL0 measures 86 mm deep, 105 mm wide, and 181 mm tall. That 105 mm width for a 3-pole MCCB is standard for the SENTRON 3VA frame — it occupies three 35 mm DIN-rail modules worth of panel width. The 86 mm depth is important for enclosure selection: it fits standard 200 mm deep wall-mount enclosures with clearance for rear-mounted busbars or cable ducts. The breaker ships with a factory-fitted auxiliary switch configuration: 2 auxiliary switches + 1 trip alarm switch + 1 electrical alarm switch (HQ type), plus a shunt trip (STL) release. That means it arrives ready for remote status monitoring and emergency tripping without additional field wiring of accessories.
What the ratings mean for your selection
The 63 A continuous rating holds flat from 40 °C to 70 °C ambient — no thermal derating curve to calculate for typical panel environments up to that temperature. The minimum rated current is 95 A, which likely refers to the magnetic trip threshold or the lower end of the adjustable thermal-magnetic range; the breaker is sized for a 63 A continuous load but can handle inrush or short-duration peaks up to that minimum trip level. The maximum rating of 756 A is the short-circuit making/breaking capacity at the lower voltage end, not a continuous rating. The trip indicator and voltage trigger are present, meaning the breaker provides local visual indication of trip status and can accept a remote voltage-based trip signal. There is no undervoltage release, no ground-fault monitoring, and no communication function — this is a straightforward line-protection MCCB without integrated metering or fieldbus.