MCCB for high-fault panel builds
The Siemens SENTRON 3VA2225-5HL32-0CA0 is a 3-pole molded case circuit breaker rated for 250 A continuous current at 40 °C, carrying a full 250 A up to 50 °C before derating begins — at 55 °C it holds 241 A, at 60 °C it holds 232 A, at 65 °C it holds 222 A, and at 70 °C it holds 213 A. The 187 kA breaking capacity at 240 V gives substantial fault-interrupt headroom for high-available-fault-current service-entrance or distribution panels; at 415 V and 440 V it still interrupts 121 kA, and at 500 V it interrupts 79 kA. Only at 690 V does the rating drop to 5.1 kA, so this frame is sized for 240–500 V distribution, not 690 V motor circuits. The ETU320 electronic trip unit handles line protection (not ground-fault or phase-failure detection), and the breaker ships with an integrated undervoltage release (UVR) — the release order code is 3VA9608-0BB24. The basic switch without the UVR is order code 3VA2225-5HL32-0AA0. No auxiliary contacts or communication module are fitted on this variant.
Panel fit and thermal management
At 86 mm deep, 105 mm wide, and 181 mm tall, this MCCB occupies a standard SENTRON 3VA2 frame footprint. The maximum power loss of 50.5 W must be factored into enclosure thermal calculations, especially when the breaker is run near its 250 A rating in a sealed panel. Operating temperature range is -25 °C to 70 °C; storage range is -40 °C to 80 °C.