What this MCCB delivers in a panel
The Siemens SENTRON 3VA2225-6JP32-0AF0 is a 3-pole molded case circuit breaker rated for 250 A continuous current, sized for line protection in distribution panels. It carries 242 kA interrupting capacity at 240 V and still holds 187 kA at 415 V — headroom that keeps selectivity alive downstream without cascading a fault upstream. The 105 mm width and 86 mm depth fit standard MCCB mounting footprints; the 181 mm height clears most panel gland plates. Communication is onboard — no separate module needed for basic signaling — and the auxiliary switch configuration ships as 1 auxiliary switch plus 1 trip alarm switch (HQ design). The trip indicator is present; undervoltage release and ground-fault monitoring are not fitted on this variant.
Interrupting capacity and derating — the real selection numbers
The headline 242 kA at 240 V is the maximum short-circuit current this breaker can safely interrupt at that voltage, but the real-world fit depends on the available fault current at the installation point. At 415 V and 440 V it still delivers 187 kA; at 500 V that drops to 121 kA, and at 690 V it is 4.5 kA — still useful for low-fault industrial circuits but not for high-energy 690 V buswork. Continuous current is 250 A up to 50 °C ambient. Above that, derate: 238 A at 55 °C, 225 A at 60 °C, 213 A at 65 °C, and 200 A at 70 °C. If the panel ambient runs hot, the 250 A nameplate is not the usable number — the thermal curve governs.
Panel fit and wiring notes
Dimensions are 105 mm wide by 86 mm deep by 181 mm tall. The 3-pole block lands in standard MCCB mounting cutouts; the 86 mm depth leaves room for rear-connected busbars or cable lacing behind the panel backplate. Maximum power loss is 48 W — factor that into enclosure thermal calculations if the panel is sealed. Operating temperature range is -25 °C to 70 °C; storage range is -40 °C to 80 °C. The basic switch order code is 3VA2225-6JP32-0AA0 — relevant if you need the switch block separately for a spare or a different trip unit.