What the interrupting ratings mean for your panel
The Siemens 3VA2225-6HN32-0BA0 is a 3-pole SENTRON molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) rated for line protection, sized at 250 A continuous current and carrying a 2500 A frame rating. Its interrupting capacity is the headline spec: 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. That 242 kA at 240 V means this breaker safely clears a fault up to that level without cascading upstream — critical for high-fault service entrance or main-tie applications where available short-circuit current is substantial. The continuous current rating holds at 250 A from 40 °C through 50 °C ambient, then derates linearly down to 213 A at 70 °C. If your panel runs hot — say a packed enclosure near a furnace line — use the 55 °C figure (241 A) or 60 °C figure (232 A) for your actual load calculation. The 2500 A frame means the internal mechanism and contacts are built for that maximum current; the 250 A continuous rating is the thermal-magnetic or electronic trip unit setting. An undervoltage release (UVR) is fitted as standard — the auxiliary release design is an undervoltage release (UVR). That means the breaker trips automatically if supply voltage drops below a set threshold, protecting downstream equipment from brownout damage or preventing automatic restart after a dip. The basic switch variant is 3VA2225-6HN32-0AA0, which is the same breaker without the UVR; this order code includes it.
Mounting and integration
Dimensions: 181 mm high, 105 mm wide, 86 mm deep. That 105 mm width (4.13 in) is the standard 3-pole MCCB footprint for this SENTRON frame size — it occupies three 35 mm DIN spaces if using a DIN-rail adapter, or bolts directly onto a mounting plate in a switchboard. The 86 mm depth (3.39 in) leaves room for rear-connected busbars or cable lugs without crowding the gland plate. Operating temperature range: -25 °C to 70 °C. Storage range: -40 °C to 80 °C. The storage limit governs handling and warehousing, not running duty. Maximum power loss is 50.5 W — a factor for enclosure thermal rise calculations if multiple breakers are ganged in a sealed cabinet.