What it is and what it does
The Siemens 3VA2163-7MN32-0KL0 is a SENTRON molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) designed specifically for motor protection — it includes phase failure detection and a shunt trip release, so it can isolate a motor on loss of phase or on a remote trip command. Rated 63 A continuously from 40 °C up to 70 °C without derating, it handles the full load current of a typical 30–37 kW motor at 400 V without needing to oversize the frame. Breaking capacity reaches 330 kA at 240 V AC and 242 kA at 415/440 V, dropping to 3.7 kA at 690 V — the high 240 V figure suits low-voltage distribution where fault currents can be extreme, while the 415 V rating still covers most industrial motor branch circuits. The 3-pole construction matches three-phase motor feeds.
Auxiliary and trip options
This variant ships with a shunt trip (STL) release for remote opening, plus two auxiliary switches, one trip alarm switch, and one electrical alarm switch (HQ configuration). The auxiliary contacts let a PLC or DCS confirm breaker position and trip status without extra interface relays. The trip indicator and voltage trigger are built in, so a downstream controller sees exactly when the breaker has operated on fault.
Dimensions and panel fit
The breaker measures 86 mm deep, 105 mm wide, and 181 mm high — a standard 3-pole MCCB footprint that drops into most SENTRON panelboards and distribution blocks without re-drilling. The 105 mm width is the same as the base 3VA2 frame, so it fits existing busbar and mounting patterns.