What the ratings mean for fit
The Siemens SENTRON 3VA2225-6HL32-0HC0 is a 3-pole molded case circuit breaker rated for 250 A continuous current at 40 °C, with a thermal derating curve that holds 250 A through 50 °C, then drops 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 50 °C panel — typical for a crowded switchboard — you still get the full 250 A; above that, you need to account for the reduction. The interrupting ratings are the key selection parameter: 242 kA at 240 V, 187 kA at 415 V and 440 V, 121 kA at 500 V, and 4.5 kA at 690 V. The sharp drop at 690 V tells you this breaker is optimized for 240–500 V distribution, not 690 V motor circuits. If your fault current at 690 V exceeds 4.5 kA, this is not the right frame. The 86 mm depth, 105 mm width, and 181 mm height place it in the standard 3VA2 frame footprint. It mounts directly into a SENTRON panelboard or distribution board without adapters. The design is line protection, not feeder or motor protection — the trip unit is configured for cable and busbar protection, not overload curves for motor starting.
Built-in accessories and wiring
This variant ships with a shunt trip (STL) for remote tripping and two auxiliary switches (HQ) for status feedback to a PLC or annunciator. The basic switch is order code 3VA2225-6HL32-0AA0 — that's the core breaker without the auxiliaries; this -0HC0 suffix adds the STL and HQ switches factory-installed. No undervoltage release, no ground-fault monitoring, no communication module. If you need UVR or ground-fault, this is not the variant; you'd step to a different suffix. The 48 W maximum power loss at rated current matters for thermal management in sealed enclosures — that's about the dissipation of a small soldering iron, so ensure ventilation or derate if the enclosure is fully enclosed above 50 °C.