Breaking Capacity — What the Ratings Mean for Selectivity
The 3VA2225-8HL32-0AF0: Breaking capacity is listed per voltage: 440 kA at 240 V, 330 kA at 415 V and 440 V, 242 kA at 500 V, and 50.4 kA at 690 V. These are the maximum fault currents the MCCB can safely interrupt at each voltage level. For a 480 V panel (common in North America), the 330 kA at 440 V is the closest published figure — well above typical available fault current in most distribution boards. At 690 V the 50.4 kA rating still covers heavy industrial service. The 250 A frame with these interrupting ratings gives you headroom for selective coordination downstream without cascading upstream breakers.
Current Rating and Thermal Derating
Rated continuous current is 250 A up to 50 °C ambient. Above that, derate linearly: 241 A at 55 °C, 232 A at 60 °C, 222 A at 65 °C, and 213 A at 70 °C. Maximum operating temperature is 70 °C; minimum is -25 °C. Storage range is -40 °C to 80 °C. The breaker dissipates up to 48 W at full load — plan ventilation or spacing in a closed panel. The IP40 front protection means it is splash-protected from the front only; the rear terminals are not sealed.
Physical Fit and Panel Integration
Dimensions: 181 mm high, 105 mm wide, 86 mm deep. This is a standard SENTRON 3VA2 frame size — mounts on a DIN rail or can be screw-fixed to a backplate. The 86 mm depth is shallow enough for most 200 mm deep enclosures. The auxiliary contact block is factory-fitted (1 auxiliary + 1 trip alarm), so no field-add module is needed unless you want more contacts. The base switch supplied is order code 3VA2225-8HL32-0AA0 — the same breaker without the auxiliary block.