SENTRON 3VA2225-5HL42-0AE0 — 250 A MCCB for Line Protection
The Siemens SENTRON 3VA2225-5HL42-0AE0 is a 4-pole molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) rated for 250 A continuous at 40 °C, designed for line protection in distribution panels. It carries a 187 kA interrupting capacity at 240 V — enough to handle high-fault utility feeds without cascading upstream. At 415 V and 440 V it still breaks 121 kA, dropping to 75.6 kA at 500 V and 4.5 kA at 690 V, so the SCCR headroom depends on your system voltage. The 250 A rating holds flat from 40 °C through 50 °C, then derates to 241 A at 55 °C, 232 A at 60 °C, 222 A at 65 °C, and 213 A at 70 °C. That means in a warm enclosure — say 55 °C ambient — you lose 9 A of headroom, still within the margin for most 200 A feeders. Maximum power loss is 48 W, so the heat load on the panel is modest for a 250 A frame.
Panel Fit and Mounting
The 3VA2225-5HL42-0AE0 measures 86 mm deep, 140 mm wide, and 181 mm high. The 140 mm width on a 4-pole MCCB is standard for the SENTRON 3VA2 frame — it occupies the same footprint as other 4-pole units in the series, so a panel laid out for a 3VA1 or 3VA2 4-pole breaker will accept this drop-in. Depth of 86 mm (3.39 in) means it clears most 200 mm deep enclosures with room for rear-connected busbars.
Lifecycle and Sourcing
The basic switch variant is 3VA2225-5HL42-0AA0; the -0AE0 adds 4 auxiliary switches HQ. If you are replacing a -0AA0 and need the aux contacts, this is the direct upgrade. No rewiring of the line or load terminals — same frame, same mounting hole pattern.