What it is and what it does
The Siemens 3VA2163-6HN36-0BA0 is a SENTRON molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) designed for line protection in distribution panels. It carries a continuous rated current of 63 A across the full ambient temperature range from 40 °C to 70 °C — no derating needed up to that ceiling, which simplifies panel sizing for warm enclosures. Interrupting capacity is the headline: 242 kA at 240 V AC, 187 kA at 415/440 V, 121 kA at 500 V, and 3.7 kA at 690 V. Those numbers put it in the high-fault tier — suitable for main or tie breakers in large low-voltage switchgear where available fault current exceeds 100 kA. The breaker is 3-pole, ships without auxiliary switches or ground-fault monitoring, and includes an undervoltage release (UVR) as the only auxiliary release. The UVR trips the breaker when control voltage drops below a set threshold — common in emergency-stop chains and undervoltage protection schemes.
Panel fit and integration
Dimensions are 105 mm wide, 181 mm tall, and 86 mm deep — a standard 3-pole MCCB footprint for the 3VA2 frame. Mounts on a DIN rail or direct panel; the 86 mm depth leaves clearance for rear-access bus bars in a typical distribution cabinet. Power loss is rated at a maximum of 6.5 W, which is low enough that ventilation slots in a standard IP3X enclosure handle the heat without forced cooling.