What it is and what it does
The Siemens SENTRON 3VA2225-5KP32-0HH0 is a 3-pole molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) rated for 250 A continuous current at 40 °C, designed for line protection in distribution panels. Breaking capacity reaches 187 kA at 240 V and 121 kA at 415 V, dropping to 4.5 kA at 690 V — the SCCR headroom at common distribution voltages means this breaker clears high-fault scenarios without cascading upstream. It carries a communication function for integration into monitored systems, plus a shunt trip (STL) and two auxiliary switches with one trip alarm switch (HQ) for remote status and emergency trip.
Ratings and what they mean for fit
The 250 A rating holds from 40 °C through 50 °C ambient; above that it derates to 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, the effective ampacity drops, so size the upstream feeder accordingly. Maximum power loss is 48 W — relevant for enclosure thermal budgeting when multiple breakers are ganged in a sealed panel. Operating temperature range spans -25 °C to 70 °C, with storage from -40 °C to 80 °C; the storage limit governs handling and warehousing, not running conditions. Dimensions are 181 mm high, 105 mm wide, 86 mm deep — the 105 mm width is the standard 3-pole MCCB footprint for this SENTRON frame, so it drops into existing panel cutouts designed for the 3VA family without re-drilling.