What this MCCB delivers for a motor branch circuit
The Siemens SENTRON 3VA2216-5MN32-0DA0 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 until you cross that upper bound. That flat thermal curve simplifies panel sizing in warm enclosures or near motor starters. Its interrupting capacity hits 187 kA at 240 V, 121 kA at 415 V and 440 V, 75.6 kA at 500 V, and 4.5 kA at 690 V. For a motor protection breaker, that SCCR headroom means it can sit upstream of a variable-frequency drive or across a high-fault utility feed without cascading coordination issues. The motor protection design includes built-in phase failure detection and an undervoltage release — the UVR trips the breaker when line voltage drops below a threshold, preventing a motor from re-accelerating against a partially restored supply. No auxiliary switch is fitted; the UVR is the only auxiliary release on this variant.
Dimensions and panel fit
The breaker measures 105 mm wide, 181 mm high, and 86 mm deep. That 105 mm width is the standard 3-pole MCCB footprint for the 3VA2 frame — it occupies three 35 mm DIN-rail modules. The 86 mm depth includes the arc-chamber housing; verify clearance for the rear terminals and any auxiliary wiring trough. Maximum power loss is 22.2 W, which is moderate for a 160 A frame. In a sealed enclosure with multiple breakers, that heat load adds up — factor it into your thermal budget rather than assuming free convection is enough.
Environmental limits and storage
Operating temperature range is -25 °C to 70 °C; storage range is -40 °C to 80 °C. The storage limits exceed the operating range — that governs handling during transport and warehouse hold, not running conditions.