Siemens SENTRON 3VA2225-5HL32-0CH0 — 250 A MCCB for Line Protection
The Siemens SENTRON 3VA2225-5HL32-0CH0 is a 3-pole molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) rated for 250 A continuous current, designed for line protection in distribution panels. It carries a maximum interrupting capacity of 187 kA at 240 V and 121 kA at 415 V and 440 V, dropping to 75.6 kA at 500 V and 4.5 kA at 690 V — the voltage-dependent curve you need to check against your available fault current at the panelboard.
Thermal Derating and Panel Fit
The 250 A rating holds at ambient temperatures up to 50 °C. Above that, it derates linearly: 241 A at 55 °C, 232 A at 60 °C, 222 A at 65 °C, and 213 A at 70 °C. If your panel runs hot — near a furnace line or in a sealed enclosure — size the load accordingly or plan for forced ventilation. Dimensions are 105 mm wide, 181 mm high, and 86 mm deep. The 105 mm width is standard for a 3-pole MCCB in this class — it fits a typical 200 mm DIN-rail spacing with room for side-by-side auxiliary modules. The 86 mm depth leaves clearance for rear-connected busbars in a standard 400 mm deep enclosure. Operating temperature range is -25 °C to 70 °C; storage range is -40 °C to 80 °C. The storage limit governs handling and warehousing, not running conditions.
Auxiliary and Release Configuration
This variant ships with an undervoltage release (UVR) and a complement of 2 auxiliary switches plus 1 trip alarm switch (HQ type). The UVR trips the breaker when control voltage drops below a threshold — useful for safety circuits that need to drop power on loss of control supply. The auxiliary switches provide status feedback to a PLC or indicator lamp; the trip alarm switch signals a fault condition separately from a manual open. A trip indicator is present on the front face, giving a visual flag when the breaker has tripped on overcurrent or short circuit — no need to probe with a meter to distinguish a trip from a manual OFF. The basic switch (the interrupting core) carries order code 3VA2225-5HL32-0AA0, which is the base breaker without auxiliaries. This variant adds the UVR and switch package on top of that core.
Sourcing and Availability
Maximum power loss at rated current is 50.5 W — factor that into your enclosure thermal budget if the breaker is in a sealed cabinet with other heat sources.