The Siemens SENTRON 3VA2225-5HL42-0DC0 is a 4-pole molded case circuit breaker rated for 250 A continuous current at 40 °C, designed for line protection in distribution panels. Its interrupting capacity reaches 187 kA at 240 V and 121 kA at 415 V, giving it the headroom to clear high-fault events without cascading upstream — critical for selectivity in a main or feeder position. The unit includes an undervoltage release (UVR) and two HQ auxiliary switches, so it can signal trip status back to a PLC or safety circuit without an add-on module.
Sizing and thermal derating
The breaker holds its full 250 A rating up to 50 °C ambient. 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 the panel runs hot — say, adjacent to a drive cabinet or in a roof-mounted enclosure — size the load to the derated figure, not the nameplate 250 A. Maximum power loss is 50.5 W, which matters for ventilation planning in a sealed gland plate.
Interrupting capacity by voltage
The 3VA2225-5HL42-0DC0 delivers 187 kA at 240 V, 121 kA at both 415 V and 440 V, 75.6 kA at 500 V, and 4.5 kA at 690 V. The steep drop at 690 V means this breaker is not the right choice for a 690 V main — that SCCR is too tight for most industrial services. At 415 V, the 121 kA figure covers high-fault utility feeds common in European and Asian plants.
Physical fit and panel integration
Dimensions are 140 mm wide, 181 mm high, and 86 mm deep. The 140 mm width is a standard 4-pole MCCB footprint — it occupies roughly 5.5 inches of DIN-rail or mounting-plate space. The 86 mm depth leaves clearance for rear bus bars and wiring troughs in a 200 mm deep enclosure. Verify the gland plate knockout pattern against the 86 mm projection; some shallow enclosures need a spacer bracket.