What this MCCB is and where it fits
The Siemens 3VA2163-7MS32-0BC0 is a SENTRON 3VA2 molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) in a starter-protection design, meaning it is built to switch and protect motor loads in control panels — not just a feeder breaker. Rated 63 A continuous at 40 °C (no derating needed up to 70 °C, per the spec), it handles the full thermal capacity across the panel's ambient range. The 3-pole construction and 330 kA interrupting rating at 240 V (242 kA at 415 V) make it suitable for high-fault installations where upstream coordination is critical.
Breaking capacity and what it means for your panel
The interrupting ratings drop as voltage rises: 330 kA at 240 V, 242 kA at 415/440 V, 187 kA at 500 V, and 3.7 kA at 690 V. That steep fall at 690 V is typical for a 63 A frame — the arc energy at that voltage limits the interrupt capability. For a 480 V panel (common in North America), the 242 kA rating at 440 V is the closest benchmark; the actual 480 V value is not listed, but the curve suggests it sits between the 440 V and 500 V figures. Plan your series rating and let-through coordination around the 415 V column if your system is 480/277 V.
Auxiliaries and release — what ships on this variant
This order code includes an undervoltage release (UVR) and two HQ auxiliary switches. The UVR trips the breaker when control voltage drops, which is standard for motor starter circuits where loss of control power must drop the load. The two aux switches provide status feedback (open/closed) to a PLC or indicator lamp. No ground-fault monitoring or communication module is fitted — that is the -0AA0 base variant's limitation. If you need GF or fieldbus feedback, this is not the variant; you step up to a -7MS32 with those options.
Dimensions and panel fit
The breaker measures 105 mm wide, 181 mm high, and 86 mm deep — a standard 3VA2 frame footprint. It mounts on a DIN rail or directly to a backplate via the screw terminals. The 86 mm depth (3.39 in) leaves clearance behind a standard 200 mm deep enclosure door. If you are retrofitting into a panel originally built around a 3VA2116-5HL32-0AK0 (a 16 A, 3-pole MCCB), the width and height are identical; the depth may differ slightly, but the mounting hole pattern and busbar connection points are the same across the 3VA2 frame family. No rewiring needed for a like-for-like swap.