What this MCCB is and what the ratings mean for your panel
The Siemens SENTRON 3VA2216-8HK42-0AA0 is a 4-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 up to that ceiling. That 160 A is the uninterrupted current the breaker carries without tripping; the interrupting ratings tell you what it can safely clear in a fault: 440 kA at 240 V, 330 kA at 415 V and 440 V, 220 kA at 500 V, and 52.5 kA at 690 V. Those are the maximum fault currents the breaker can interrupt without welding contacts or rupturing the case — critical for SCCR compliance downstream. The ETU340 electronic trip unit gives adjustable long-time, short-time, instantaneous, and ground-fault protection curves, so you coordinate selectivity with downstream breakers rather than relying on a fixed thermal-magnetic curve. Rated insulation voltage is 800 V, and the front face carries IP40 protection — suitable for enclosed panel mounting where the breaker is behind a door or cover. Power loss at rated current is 19.7 W, a figure to include in your panel thermal budget. The N-conductor protection is adjustable: OFF, 50 %, or 100 % of the phase current, giving flexibility for 3-phase + N applications where the neutral may carry unbalanced load.
Physical fit and panel integration
Dimensions are 181 mm high, 140 mm wide, 86 mm deep. The 4-pole, 160 A frame size mounts on a standard DIN rail or can be screw-fixed to a backplate. The 86 mm depth is shallow enough for most 200 mm deep enclosures, leaving room for wiring gutters and busbar connections.
What the ETU340 trip unit gives you
The ETU340 is an electronic trip unit with LSI protection (long-time, short-time, instantaneous) plus ground-fault (G) capability. Unlike a thermal-magnetic breaker, it offers adjustable time-current curves, so you can set the short-time pickup and delay to coordinate with downstream MCCBs or fuses. The ground-fault function is integral — no external relay needed. The N-conductor protection adjustment (OFF / 50 % / 100 %) is set via a rotary switch on the front.