SENTRON 3VA2 MCCB for motor protection — 160 A, flat derating curve
The Siemens 3VA2216-7MN32-0JH0 is a SENTRON-series 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 the typical panel ambient range. Three-pole construction, with a maximum interrupting rating of 330 kA at 240 V AC, stepping down to 242 kA at 415/440 V, 187 kA at 500 V, and 4.5 kA at 690 V — the SCCR curve lets you coordinate downstream without oversizing for the available fault current at your service voltage. The basic switch assembly is order code 3VA2216-7MN32-0AA0; this -0JH0 variant adds a shunt trip (STL) release and a 2 auxiliary + 1 trip alarm switch (HQ) configuration, giving the panel builder both remote trip capability and status feedback for the line controller.
What the key ratings mean for fit
The 160 A rating is the continuous current at the breaker terminals — sized for motor full-load current plus starting inrush, not the branch circuit ampacity. The flat thermal curve up to 70 °C means you don't have to open the enclosure or add forced cooling when the panel runs hot; the breaker holds its full 160 A. Maximum power loss of 19.7 W is the heat the breaker dissipates at rated current — relevant for enclosure thermal calculations, especially in a multi-breaker lineup on a common bus. Phase failure detection is built in, so the breaker trips on a lost phase — critical for motor protection against single-phasing. No undervoltage release fitted; if you need UVR, that's a different variant or an add-on module.
Panel integration — dimensions and mounting
Dimensions: 105 mm wide, 181 mm high, 86 mm deep. The 3VA2 family mounts on a DIN rail or can be screw-mounted to a backplate; the 105 mm width (4.13 in) is a standard 3-pole MCCB footprint, so it drops into existing panel cutouts sized for similar-frame breakers.