MCCB for line protection — 250 A frame with high interrupting capacity
The Siemens SENTRON 3VA2225-8HL32-0DH0 is a 3-pole molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) rated for line protection, carrying a continuous current of 250 A and delivering a breaking capacity of 330 kA at 415 V AC — enough to handle high-fault utility feeds or large transformer secondaries without cascading upstream. Its adjustable thermal-magnetic trip unit covers a setting range from 375 A to 2 500 A (the frame maximum), so it fits distribution panels where the load is well below the frame's ultimate capability — you set the trip to match the downstream conductor, not the breaker's full rating. The breaker includes an undervoltage release (UVR) and comes pre-configured with 2 auxiliary switches plus 1 trip alarm switch (HQ type), which means you get remote status indication and UV protection without adding separate accessories — one less part to source for a panel that needs undervoltage dropout.
Breaking capacity by voltage — where this MCCB fits
Rated interrupting capacity drops as system voltage rises: 440 kA at 240 V, 330 kA at 415 V and 440 V, 220 kA at 500 V, and 52.5 kA at 690 V. For a 480 V panel (common in North American industrial) the 220 kA rating gives generous headroom above typical available fault currents; at 690 V the 52.5 kA still covers most European 690 V distribution.
Thermal derating — continuous current across ambient temperature
The breaker holds its full 250 A rating from 40 °C up through 50 °C ambient. At 55 °C it derates to 241 A, at 60 °C to 232 A, at 65 °C to 222 A, and at 70 °C to 213 A. For a panel that runs warm — say 55 °C inside the enclosure — you still get 241 A continuous, which is only a 3.6 % drop from the nameplate.
Dimensions and panel fit
Mounts on a DIN rail or panel-mount plate: 105 mm wide (4.13 in), 181 mm tall (7.13 in), 86 mm deep (3.39 in). The 3-pole footprint is standard for the 250 A frame size — no special cutout needed beyond what a 250 A MCCB normally occupies.
Environmental and electrical limits
Operating temperature range is -25 °C to 70 °C; storage range is -40 °C to 80 °C. Maximum power loss at rated current is 50.5 W — factor that into enclosure thermal calculations if the panel is tightly packed. No ground-fault monitoring, no communication module, and no other measurement function on this variant. Trip indicator is present (mechanical flag on the front), so a quick visual check confirms the breaker tripped on fault rather than being switched off manually.