What this MCCB is and what it does
The Siemens 3VA2163-7MN36-0DH0 is a SENTRON molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) in a motor protection configuration, rated for 63 A continuous current and carrying a 330 kA interrupting capacity at 240 V. That interrupting rating means it can safely clear a bolted fault up to 330 kA without welding contacts or rupturing the case — essential for high-fault panels close to the transformer secondary. Three-pole design, fitted with an ETU350M electronic trip unit that includes phase failure detection. The undervoltage release (UVR) is factory-installed, so the breaker drops open on loss of control voltage — a standard requirement for motor feeder circuits where automatic restart after a dip is undesirable. Auxiliary contact complement is 2 auxiliary switches plus 1 trip alarm switch (HQ), giving the PLC or DCS both a status signal and a separate fault indication without adding external relays.
Ratings and what they mean for the panel
Rated continuous current Iu is 63 A, and it holds that rating from 40 °C through 50 °C — no derating needed in a typical ventilated enclosure. At 55 °C it still carries 60.48 A, and at 70 °C (the maximum operating ambient) it delivers 56.7 A. The rated insulation voltage Ui is 800 V, so the breaker is suitable for 480 V and 600 V class systems with headroom. Interrupting ratings span the common distribution voltages: 330 kA at 240 V, 242 kA at 415 V and 440 V, 187 kA at 500 V, and 52.5 kA at 690 V. For a 480 V panel, the 242 kA figure at 440 V is the closest published value — well above typical available fault current in most industrial switchboards. Physical footprint: 105 mm wide, 181 mm high, 86 mm deep. That 86 mm depth is the dimension that matters for shallow backpanels or retrofit into existing enclosures where the door clearance is tight. Maximum power loss is 75 W — relevant for thermal calculations inside a sealed enclosure. Mechanical endurance is 20,000 operations, which is typical for a motor-protection MCCB that sees occasional switching rather than daily cycling.