What this MCCB is and what it does
The Siemens 3VA2216-7MN32-0CC0 is a SENTRON molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) designed specifically for motor protection — it carries phase failure detection and an undervoltage release (UVR) built in, so it's not a general-purpose feeder breaker but a motor-circuit protector that drops out on loss of phase or control voltage. Rated 160 A continuous across the full 40 °C to 70 °C ambient range without derating, meaning it holds its full ampacity in a warm panel where many breakers would need to be downsized. Breaking capacity is 330 kA at 240 V AC, dropping to 242 kA at 415 V and 440 V, then 187 kA at 500 V, and 4.5 kA at 690 V — the high interrupt ratings at common distribution voltages (240–500 V) mean this breaker can sit at the main or sub-main of a high-fault industrial panel without needing a current-limiting upstream device. The 4.5 kA figure at 690 V is a tail-off; if your system runs 690 V, verify the available fault current is under that threshold.
Lifecycle and sourcing reality
For a BOM line that needs this exact order code, we quote against an RFQ — availability and current pricing confirmed at quote time. If you're cross-referencing from an older panel that used 5SQ2370-2YA05 or similar, the 3VA2216-7MN32-0CC0 is a different generation and footprint; a drop-in without rewiring is not guaranteed. The 86 mm depth, 105 mm width, and 181 mm height match the 3VA2 frame standard, so panel cutout and mounting dimensions should be verified against the existing breaker's footprint.
What the ratings mean for fit
The 160 A rating is flat from 40 °C to 70 °C — no thermal derating curve to calculate. That simplifies panel design: if your motor FLA is 150 A and the ambient inside the enclosure hits 65 °C, this breaker still holds 160 A without nuisance tripping. The 22.2 W maximum power loss is the heat it dumps into the enclosure; factor that into your ventilation or cooling calc if the panel is densely packed. Three-pole design with phase failure detection means it opens on loss of any one phase — critical for motor protection because single-phasing a running motor can cause winding damage. The undervoltage release (UVR) trips the breaker when control voltage drops below a threshold, which is typical for emergency-stop circuits or undervoltage protection schemes. Two HQ auxiliary switches are included for remote status indication (open/closed) to a PLC or annunciator panel. Operating temperature range is -25 °C to 70 °C; storage range is -40 °C to 80 °C. The storage minimum matters if the breaker sits in an unheated warehouse — it can handle -40 °C in storage, but don't energize it below -25 °C.