What this MCCB is and what it does
The Siemens SENTRON 3VA2225-5HN32-0DH0 is a 3-pole molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) rated for 250 A continuous current, designed for line protection in distribution panels. Its interrupting capacity reaches 187 kA at 240 V AC, 121 kA at 415/440 V, 75.6 kA at 500 V, and 4.5 kA at 690 V — covering most low-voltage fault scenarios from service entrance to downstream feeders. The breaker carries a full temperature derating curve: full 250 A up to 50 °C, then linearly down to 213 A at 70 °C ambient. This matters for panel builders stuffing a hot enclosure — the 250 A nameplate holds only if the air around the breaker stays at or below 50 °C.
Auxiliaries and releases — what comes built in
Factory-fitted with 2 auxiliary switches plus a separate trip alarm switch (HQ type), and an undervoltage release (UVR). The UVR trips the breaker when control voltage drops — standard for emergency-stop circuits or undervoltage protection schemes. The basic switch assembly is order code 3VA2225-5HN32-0AA0, meaning the auxiliaries and UVR are integrated at the factory, not field-added. If you need a different aux configuration, you're looking at a different base variant. A mechanical trip indicator is present — useful for remote status without opening the panel door.
Physical fit and panel integration
Dimensions: 105 mm wide, 181 mm tall, 86 mm deep. That depth is the key number for enclosure selection — 86 mm (3.39 in) means it fits standard shallow distribution boards, but check gland-plate clearance if you're mounting a deep rotary handle. Maximum power loss is 50.5 W at rated load — not negligible in a sealed enclosure; factor it into your thermal budget if the panel is NEMA 4X or IP65.
Lifecycle and sourcing reality
Operating temperature range is -25 °C to +70 °C; storage from -40 °C to +80 °C. The storage limit governs handling and warehousing, not running conditions.