160 A MCCB for Line Protection — Breaking Capacity Across Voltages
The Siemens 3VA2216-8HM32-0AA0 is a SENTRON molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) designed for line protection in distribution panels. It carries a rated continuous current of 160 A across an ambient temperature range of 40 °C to 70 °C — no derating needed up to that full 70 °C ceiling, which simplifies panel layout in warm enclosures. The 3-pole unit handles fault interruption with a breaking capacity of 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, so the same frame can be specified across multiple voltage levels without swapping hardware.
Panel Fit and Integration
The 3VA2216-8HM32-0AA0 measures 105 mm wide, 181 mm high, and 86 mm deep — a 3-pole frame that fits standard distribution board cutouts. The depth of 86 mm (3.39 in) means it clears shallow backpanels where deeper MCCBs would force a taller enclosure. Rated insulation voltage is 800 V, so it suits 690 V line-to-line systems with headroom. Ground-fault monitoring is configured for summation current formation on the L-conductor, which covers residual current detection without a separate module.
Thermal and Electrical Headroom
Maximum power loss is 19.7 W at rated load — low enough that ventilation slots in a standard IP3X panel suffice; no forced cooling required. The adjustable thermal-magnetic trip range spans 240 A to 1 920 A (the full-scale value is 160 A, with an initial setting of 32 A), giving the specifying engineer flexibility to match cable and load without changing the breaker frame. Storage temperature range is -40 °C to 80 °C, which covers most warehouse and shipping conditions without special handling.