Motor protection MCCB with ETU350M trip unit
The Siemens SENTRON 3VA2216-7MN32-0JA0 is a 3-pole molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) configured for motor protection, carrying a rated continuous current Iu of 160 A. The ETU350M electronic trip unit provides adjustable overload and short-circuit protection curves matched to motor starting characteristics, plus phase failure detection — so a lost phase on the line side trips the breaker before single-phasing damages the motor windings. Breaking capacity is rated at 330 kA at 240 V AC, 242 kA at 415 V AC and 440 V AC, 187 kA at 500 V AC, and 52.5 kA at 690 V AC. At 690 V the interrupting rating drops to 52.5 kA — still sufficient for most industrial distribution panels, but worth checking against the available fault current at the point of installation if the panel feeds a 690 V bus. The integrated shunt trip release (STL) allows remote tripping from a safety circuit or emergency-stop chain. No auxiliary contacts are fitted on this variant — if you need status feedback to a PLC or SCADA, the basic switch 3VA2216-7MN32-0AA0 or the integrated auxiliary trip 3VA9688-0BL32 would need to be added separately.
Thermal derating and panel fit
Rated continuous current holds at 160 A from 40 °C through 50 °C ambient. Above that, derating applies: 153.6 A at 55 °C, 150.4 A at 60 °C, 147.2 A at 65 °C, and 144 A at 70 °C. If the MCCB is mounted in a sealed enclosure or next to heat-generating components, use the 55 °C or 60 °C row as your design limit — the breaker will carry 160 A only if the air around it stays under 50 °C. Dimensions are 105 mm wide × 181 mm high × 86 mm deep. The 105 mm width is standard for a 3-pole 160 A frame in the 3VA2 series — it occupies three 35 mm DIN module spaces. Depth of 86 mm leaves clearance behind the panel door for wiring and the shunt trip connections.