What this MCCB carries and where it fits
The Siemens 3VA2225-6JP32-0CL0 is a SENTRON molded case circuit breaker rated for 250 A continuous current (Iu) with an ETU550 electronic trip unit. Its 242 kA breaking capacity at 240 V AC means it can safely interrupt fault currents up to that level without upstream cascading — critical for high-fault installations like transformer secondaries or large motor control centers. The 3-pole line-protection variant is sized for feeder or main breaker duty in distribution panels.
Breaking capacity across voltage levels
Breaking capacity drops as system voltage rises: 242 kA at 240 V, 187 kA at both 415 V and 440 V, 121 kA at 500 V, and 6 kA at 690 V. The 187 kA figure at 415 V is the one most European industrial panels will coordinate against — it tells you this breaker holds its own on the secondary side of a 500 kVA transformer without needing a current-limiting upstream device.
Thermal derating and ambient temperature
Rated 250 A from 40 °C through 50 °C ambient. Above that, derating is linear: 238 A at 55 °C, 225 A at 60 °C, 213 A at 65 °C, and 200 A at 70 °C. If this breaker lives in a non-air-conditioned enclosure near ovens or drives, the 55 °C derated figure (238 A) is the one to size the downstream load against — not the 250 A nameplate.
Trip unit and auxiliary configuration
The ETU550 is an electronic trip unit with adjustable long-time, short-time, instantaneous, and ground-fault protection curves — the 550 tier typically adds communication capability and power metering. This order code ships with an undervoltage release (UVR) fitted, plus a full auxiliary contact block: 2 auxiliary switches, 1 trip alarm switch, and 1 electrical alarm switch (HQ type). The UVR means the breaker drops out on loss of control voltage — useful for emergency-stop circuits or undervoltage protection on motor feeders.
Panel fit and dimensions
Dimensions are 181 mm high, 105 mm wide, 86 mm deep — a standard 3-pole MCCB footprint that fits SENTRON 3VA mounting bases and busbar systems. The 105 mm width means it occupies three 35 mm DIN-spaced pole positions; verify the existing panel cutout if replacing a different brand, but within the SENTRON family the mounting hole pattern is consistent.