What this MCCB carries — and what that means for your panel
The Siemens 3VA2163-7MS32-0AE0 is a SENTRON molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) in the starter protection variant, rated 63 A continuous current at 40 °C with an ETU310M electronic trip unit. The interrupting capacity hits 330 kA at 240 V, 242 kA at 415 V, and still holds 52.5 kA at 690 V — so it handles high-fault industrial feeds without cascading upstream. The 3-pole body carries 4 HQ auxiliary switches for status feedback to a PLC or safety relay.
Panel fit — dimensions and mounting
The breaker measures 105 mm wide × 181 mm high × 86 mm deep. That 86 mm depth is the body only — allow for the handle throw and rear terminal clearance. It mounts on a DIN rail or direct-panel screw pattern typical for SENTRON 3VA2 frames. The 63 A frame keeps the footprint compact enough for a 600 mm wide enclosure with room for a downstream contactor and overload relay in a motor starter column.
Thermal derating — what the 63 A rating actually delivers
The 63 A continuous rating holds flat from 40 °C 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. If your panel ambient runs hot — say a non-ventilated enclosure near a furnace line — plan for that 10% drop at the top end. The maximum operating temperature is 70 °C; storage range is -40 °C to 80 °C.
Trip unit and auxiliary options
The ETU310M is an electronic overcurrent release with LI (long-time and short-time) protection — no ground-fault monitoring, no undervoltage release, no communication function built in. The 4 HQ auxiliary switches (form C) are integrated into the breaker; the basic switch module is order code 3VA2163-7MS32-0AA0, and the auxiliary trip module is 3VA9608-0BB24. No phase-failure detection or voltage trigger on this variant.