What this MCCB is and what it does
The Siemens SENTRON 3VA2163-7MN32-0CL0 is a 3-pole molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) built for motor protection. It carries a rated continuous current Iu of 63 A and a rated insulation voltage Ui of 800 V. The ETU350M electronic trip unit handles the overload and short-circuit curves, with phase failure detection built in. That 330 kA breaking capacity at 240 V means it can interrupt a fault current up to that level without the arc flashing over or the case rupturing — critical for high-fault installations like transformer secondaries or large motor control centers.
Breaking capacity across voltage levels
The interrupting rating drops as voltage climbs: 330 kA at 240 V, 242 kA at both 415 V and 440 V, 187 kA at 500 V, and 52.5 kA at 690 V. That 52.5 kA at 690 V is still substantial — enough for most 690 V industrial distribution systems. The 242 kA at 415 V covers the common European low-voltage network. If your system runs at 500 V, the 187 kA rating still gives healthy headroom for most applications.
Thermal derating and operating range
Rated current holds at 63 A from 40 °C up to 50 °C. Above that, it starts to taper: 60.48 A at 55 °C, 59.22 A at 60 °C, 57.96 A at 65 °C, and 56.7 A at 70 °C. The operating temperature range is -25 °C to 70 °C, with storage from -40 °C to 80 °C. If the breaker lives in a hot enclosure — say next to a drive or transformer — those derated numbers are the ones to size against. Maximum power loss is 75 W, so account for that heat in the panel thermal budget.
Auxiliary contacts and releases
This variant ships with an undervoltage release (UVR) and a full auxiliary contact set: 2 auxiliary switches, 1 trip alarm switch, and 1 electrical alarm switch (HQ type). The integrated auxiliary trip is order code 3VA9608-0BB24. The supplied basic switch is 3VA2163-7MN32-0AA0. The UVR drops the breaker on loss of control voltage — standard for safety circuits where a power failure must open the motor circuit. No ground fault monitoring or communication function on this version.
Mounting and panel fit
Dimensions are 105 mm wide, 181 mm high, 86 mm deep. That 105 mm width is the standard 3-pole MCCB footprint for the SENTRON 3VA2 frame — it fits the same mounting holes and busbar connections as other 3VA2 breakers. The 86 mm depth includes the arc chamber and terminals; verify clearance for the UVR module and auxiliary wiring at the bottom. Panel builders: the 75 W heat dissipation means you need ventilation or forced air if the enclosure is sealed.