63 A, 3-pole MCCB with ETU350 — what the ratings mean for fit
The Siemens 3VA2163-7HN32-0JL0 is a SENTRON molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) rated for 63 A continuous current on a 3-pole frame. The ETU350 electronic trip unit gives you adjustable long-time, short-time, instantaneous, and ground-fault protection curves — not just a fixed thermal-magnetic characteristic. At 240 V the interrupting capacity hits 330 kA, which means it can sit upstream of a large transformer or a high-fault panelboard without needing a current-limiting fuse ahead of it. The 800 V rated insulation voltage (Ui) confirms it is suitable for 480 V and 600 V class systems as well. The 63 A rating holds flat from 40 °C through 50 °C, then derates to 60.6 A at 55 °C and 53.6 A at 70 °C. If your panel ambient runs above 50 °C, size the breaker for the derated value — the nameplate 63 A is only valid up to that point. Dimensions are 181 mm high, 105 mm wide, 86 mm deep. That 105 mm width is three pole spaces on a standard 35 mm DIN rail — it occupies the same footprint as a 3-pole frame from the 3VA1 or 3VA2 family, so a panel laid out for one of those accepts this unit without re-drilling the gland plate.
Auxiliary contacts and shunt trip — what is wired in
This variant ships with 2 auxiliary switches, 1 trip alarm switch, and 1 electrical alarm switch (HQ type) factory-installed. That is four discrete signal outputs for PLC status monitoring — no need to add a separate auxiliary contact block. The shunt trip (STL) release is also built in, so a remote trip signal from an E-stop or safety relay lands directly on the breaker without an external contactor. The integrated auxiliary trip (3VA9688-0BL32) and the supplied basic switch (3VA2163-7HN32-0AA0) are referenced on the nameplate. If you need to order a replacement auxiliary block, use those order codes — not the base breaker MPN.
How it compares to the 3VA1110-5EE32-0JA0
The 3VA1110-5EE32-0JA0 is a smaller-frame MCCB (100 A frame, thermal-magnetic trip) from the same SENTRON family. The 3VA2163-7HN32-0JL0 uses a 250 A frame with an electronic trip unit, so it offers adjustable protection curves and higher interrupting capacity. Physically, the 3VA1110 is narrower (70 mm vs 105 mm) and shorter, so it does not drop into the same DIN-rail footprint without a new gland plate. If your BOM calls for the 3VA1110 and you are considering this as a substitute, verify the panel cutout and the trip curve requirements first.
Environmental range and approvals
Operating temperature range is -25 °C to 70 °C; storage range is -40 °C to 80 °C. The 4 W maximum power loss at rated current is low enough that ventilation slots in the enclosure cover are sufficient — no forced cooling needed in a standard IP54 panel.