The Siemens SENTRON 3VA2163-7MN36-0KL0 is a 3-pole molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) rated for 63 A continuous current across the full ambient range from 40 °C to 70 °C — no derating needed up to that ceiling. It is designed specifically for motor protection, with phase failure detection built in, and carries a shunt trip release (STL) plus a complement of two auxiliary switches, one trip alarm switch, and one electrical alarm switch HQ.
Interrupting capacity and selectivity
Interrupting capacity is 330 kA at 240 V, dropping to 242 kA at 415 V and 440 V, 187 kA at 500 V, and 3.7 kA at 690 V. At the common 415 V distribution level, 242 kA gives substantial headroom for high-fault panels — the breaker can clear a bolted fault without upstream coordination failure, which is the deciding factor for selective coordination studies in industrial switchgear.
Motor protection design and auxiliary configuration
The motor protection design means the thermal-magnetic trip curve is shaped for motor inrush — it tolerates the 6–8× FLA starting transient without nuisance tripping, while phase failure detection catches a lost phase that would single-phase the motor. The auxiliary switch complement (2 auxiliary + 1 trip alarm + 1 electrical alarm HQ) and the shunt trip release (STL) allow remote tripping and status feedback, which is standard for a motor control center (MCC) bucket or a PLC-controlled starter section.
Physical integration
Dimensions are 105 mm wide, 181 mm high, and 86 mm deep — a standard 3-pole MCCB footprint for a 63 A frame. The 86 mm depth (3.39 in) fits within typical 200 mm deep panel enclosures without crowding the gland plate. Power loss is 4 W maximum, negligible for thermal budgeting inside a sealed cabinet.