The Siemens SENTRON 3VA2163-7MS36-0KL0 is a 3-pole molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) rated for 63 A continuous current at 40 °C, with a 330 kA interrupting capacity at 240 V. It carries an ETU310M electronic trip unit and a shunt trip (STL) auxiliary release, plus a 2+1+1 auxiliary contact block. This is a starter-protection variant — designed to sit ahead of a motor starter or contactor in a panel, providing short-circuit and overload protection under a single device footprint.
Interrupting capacity and selectivity
The interrupting ratings drop with voltage: 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. At 63 A frame, those numbers are high enough for most secondary distribution and motor-control-center lineups — the 242 kA at 415 V means it can be placed near a large transformer without needing a current-limiting fuse upstream. The 52.5 kA at 690 V still covers most industrial 690 V bus faults.
Thermal derating and endurance
The 63 A rating holds flat through 50 °C; above that it derates linearly to 56.7 A at 70 °C. If the panel ambient runs hot — say, 55 °C inside a packed enclosure — plan for 60.48 A continuous, not the full 63 A. Latching endurance is rated at 20,000 operations, which is typical for an MCCB on a motor circuit that cycles several times a shift. Power loss at rated load hits 75 W max — that heat has to leave the enclosure.
Auxiliary and trip configuration
The auxiliary contact block is a 2+1+1 configuration: two auxiliary switches (NO/NC), one trip alarm switch (signals that the breaker tripped on fault), and one electrical alarm switch (signals the breaker is off). The shunt trip (STL) allows remote tripping from a PLC or E-stop circuit. There is no undervoltage release on this variant. The integrated auxiliary trip module carries order code 3VA9688-0BL33. The basic switch assembly is 3VA2163-7MS36-0AA0.
Physical fit and panel integration
Dimensions: 105 mm wide, 181 mm high, 86 mm deep. It mounts on a DIN rail or directly to a panel backplate via the screw terminals. The 105 mm width is a standard 3-pole MCCB footprint — it will drop into the same cutout or rail position as other Siemens 3VA2 frame breakers. No rewiring needed if replacing a similarly dimensioned 3VA2 unit; check the lug spacing for busbar alignment.
What it does not include
This variant has no communication function (no Modbus, PROFIBUS, or IO-Link), no phase-failure detection, no ground-fault monitoring, and no undervoltage release. If remote monitoring or ground-fault protection is needed, look at the 3VA2 with the communication module or a separate ground-fault relay. The ETU310M trip unit handles overload and short-circuit only — it does not perform power metering or energy logging.