What this MCCB delivers for a motor protection circuit
The Siemens SENTRON 3VA2216-7MN32-0AF0 is a 3-pole molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) designed specifically for motor protection, with a continuous current rating of 160 A that holds flat from 40 °C through 70 °C — no derating needed across that band, which simplifies panel thermal budgeting when the breaker sits near other heat sources. Breaking capacity reaches 330 kA at 240 V, 242 kA at 415 V and 440 V, 187 kA at 500 V, and 4.5 kA at 690 V — the 240 V figure covers most North American motor branch circuits, while the 415/440 V values handle European 400 V class distribution without a cascading breaker upstream. Built-in phase failure detection and a trip indicator give the panel builder and field tech immediate fault visibility — the trip alarm switch (part of the HQ auxiliary switch set,) can wire into a PLC digital input for remote annunciation.
Mounting and integration into a panel
Dimensions are 105 mm wide, 181 mm tall, and 86 mm deep — the 105 mm width is a standard 3-pole MCCB footprint for Siemens SENTRON, so it drops into existing panel cutouts and busbar arrangements sized for that pole spacing. Operating temperature range is -25 °C to 70 °C, storage from -40 °C to 80 °C — the storage minimum covers cold warehouse staging before commissioning. Maximum power loss is 19.7 W — a figure to factor into enclosure ventilation calculations, especially in a sealed panel with multiple breakers.