The Siemens SENTRON 3VA2225-5JQ32-0AE0 is a 3-pole molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) rated for line protection in distribution panels. It's a current-production part — no obsolescence to chase, no last-time-buy clock ticking. The interrupting capacity is the headline: 187 kA at 240 V, dropping to 121 kA at 415 V and 440 V, then 75.6 kA at 500 V, and 4.5 kA at 690 V. That 187 kA at 240 V tells you this breaker is sized for high-fault service entrances or large sub-feeders where available fault current is serious — not a branch-circuit afterthought.
Thermal derating and continuous current
Continuous current rating is 250 A up to 50 °C ambient. Above that, it derates: 238 A at 55 °C, 225 A at 60 °C, 213 A at 65 °C, and 200 A at 70 °C. If your panel runs hot — say, a packed enclosure near a furnace line — the 200 A at 70 °C figure is the one to spec against, not the 250 A nameplate. Maximum power loss is 48 W, which matters for thermal budgeting in sealed enclosures.
Footprint and panel fit
Dimensions: 181 mm high, 105 mm wide, 86 mm deep. That 105 mm width is the standard 3-pole MCCB footprint for this SENTRON frame size — it'll drop into the same DIN-rail or mounting-plate cutout as other 3VA2-series 3-pole units. The 86 mm depth means it clears most 200 mm deep enclosures with room for wiring gutters. Four auxiliary switches (HQ type) are built in; no undervoltage release or shunt trip on this variant.
Communication and adjustability
Communication function present. Trip unit adjustable: full-scale value 250 A, initial value 50 A. No voltage-trigger or other measurement functions. Line-protection design.
Environmental limits
Operating temperature range: -25 °C to 70 °C. Storage range: -40 °C to 80 °C. The storage low end is the real tell — if this breaker sits in an unheated warehouse in a northern winter, it'll be fine. The operating high end matches the derating curve above.
Sourcing and lifecycle
Lifecycle status is current — Siemens still produces this order code. No replacement to track, no cross-reference needed. For volume or project pricing, it's quoted to order against an RFQ through independent distribution channels. Availability and current pricing confirmed at quote time.