Motor protection MCCB with 330 kA interrupting rating
The Siemens SENTRON 3VA2163-7MN36-0CH0 is a 3-pole molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) rated for motor protection duty, carrying a continuous current Iu of 63 A at 40 °C ambient. Its interrupting capacity reaches 330 kA at 240 V AC, dropping to 242 kA at 415 V and 440 V, then 187 kA at 500 V, and 52.5 kA at 690 V — figures that govern selectivity and SCCR coordination in high-fault panels. ETU350M electronic release with phase-failure detection.
Breaking capacity across voltage levels
The 330 kA rating at 240 V is the headline figure, but the real-world coordination study uses the 242 kA at 415 V or 440 V — common in North American 480Y/277 V and European 400 V distribution. At 690 V the breaker still clears 52.5 kA, covering industrial drives and mining equipment fed from 690 V grids. Panel builders should note the 86 mm depth and 105 mm width — this fits standard SENTRON 3VA2 mounting footprints and busbar systems. The 181 mm height leaves clearance for auxiliary wiring and the undervoltage release module.
Auxiliary contacts and releases
The breaker ships with 2 auxiliary switches plus 1 trip alarm switch (HQ version), and an integrated undervoltage release (UVR) for remote shunt-tripping. The auxiliary release design is the undervoltage type, factory-fitted as order code 3VA9608-0BB24. Maximum power loss is 75 W at rated current — relevant for enclosure thermal calculations when multiple breakers are ganged in a single panel.