What the ratings mean for your panel
The Siemens SENTRON 3VA2225-5HL32-0KC0 is a 3-pole molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) rated for 250 A continuous current at 40 °C, with a maximum interrupting capacity of 187 kA at 240 V AC. At 415 V and 440 V it holds 121 kA, dropping to 75.6 kA at 500 V and 4.5 kA at 690 V. For a procurement decision: the 250 A frame gives you headroom on a 200 A feeder without stepping up to a 400 A frame, and the 187 kA SCCR at 240 V means this breaker can be applied on service-entrance or high-fault panels where the available fault current exceeds 100 kA — a common requirement in industrial switchboards. The continuous current derates linearly above 55 °C: 241 A at 55 °C, 232 A at 60 °C, 222 A at 65 °C, 213 A at 70 °C (–). If your panel ambient is 60 °C, you lose 18 A from the nameplate; plan your load accordingly.
Built-in accessories and function
This variant includes a shunt trip release (STL) for remote tripping and two HQ auxiliary switches for status feedback to a PLC or SCADA system. No undervoltage release is fitted, and there is no ground-fault monitoring module. The design is line protection — thermal-magnetic or electronic trip curve suited for feeder and main breaker duty, not motor protection. Power loss at rated current is 48 W maximum, which matters for enclosure thermal rise calculations. The breaker ships with basic switch order code 3VA2225-5HL32-0AA0.
Panel fit and mounting
Dimensions are 181 mm high, 105 mm wide, 86 mm deep (–), which fits the standard SENTRON 3VA2 frame footprint. The 105 mm width is three 35 mm DIN-module spaces, so it occupies the same panel cut-out as other 3-pole 3VA2 breakers. If you are replacing a different-brand 250 A MCCB, check the mounting hole pattern and bus-bar spacing — the SENTRON uses a fixed front-connect lug arrangement.