What the ratings mean for your panel
The Siemens SENTRON 3VA2216-5HL32-0HC0 is a 3-pole molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) rated for 160 A continuous current across the full ambient range from 40 °C to 70 °C — no derating needed up to that ceiling. That 160 A figure is the frame's thermal-magnetic continuous rating, not a pickup; the breaker's adjustable overload trip band spans 240 A minimum to 1 920 A maximum (, –,). The interrupting ratings tell you where this breaker can sit in a fault-current study: 187 kA at 240 V AC, 121 kA at 415 V and 440 V, 75.6 kA at 500 V, and 4.5 kA at 690 V (–). At 690 V the 4.5 kA figure is the limiting value — that voltage class typically appears in mining or marine distribution, and the breaker's capability drops sharply above 500 V. For most industrial 400 V lineups, the 121 kA SCCR at 415 V gives ample headroom for high-fault service-entrance or sub-distribution positions. This variant ships with a shunt trip (STL) release and two auxiliary switches (HQ) factory-installed. The shunt trip allows remote tripping from a PLC safety output or E-stop circuit — useful for emergency-off integration without a separate undervoltage release. The auxiliary switches provide status feedback (open/closed) to a control system or indication lamp.
Panel fit and integration
Dimensions: 181 mm height, 105 mm width, 86 mm depth (–, –). The 105 mm width is the standard 3-pole MCCB footprint for this SENTRON frame size — it fits the same DIN-rail or panel-mount cutout as other 3VA2 160 A units. The 86 mm depth includes the handle and terminal covers; verify clearance against enclosure door depth if a rotary handle extension is planned. Maximum power dissipation at rated current is 19.7 W. In a sealed, uncooled enclosure, that heat must be factored into the thermal budget — especially if multiple breakers are ganged. Operating temperature range is -25 °C to 70 °C; storage range -40 °C to 80 °C.