What this 3VA2225-8HL32-0KC0 is and what it does
The Siemens 3VA2225-8HL32-0KC0 is a SENTRON molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) rated for 250 A continuous at 40 °C, designed for line protection in industrial panels. Its 3-pole construction handles three-phase loads, and the integrated shunt trip (STL) lets you remotely trip the breaker — useful for emergency stops or interlocked disconnects. The auxiliary switch pack (2 HQ switches) signals breaker status back to a PLC or indicator lamp.
Breaking capacity — what those kA numbers mean for your panel
This MCCB carries a breaking capacity of 440 kA at 240 V, 330 kA at 415 V, and 220 kA at 500 V. At 690 V it still clears 52.5 kA. That means it can safely interrupt a fault current up to those levels without welding contacts or blowing apart — critical for high-fault installations like transformer secondaries or large motor control centers. The 240 V figure (440 kA) is the highest short-circuit current this breaker will ever see and still open; at 415 V you still get 330 kA, which covers most European industrial mains.
Thermal derating — the real current you can run
Rated 250 A at 40 °C, the breaker holds that same 250 A up through 50 °C. Above that it derates: 241 A at 55 °C, 232 A at 60 °C, 222 A at 65 °C, 213 A at 70 °C. If your panel runs hot — say, 60 °C inside a sealed enclosure — you only get 232 A continuous. Plan your load so it doesn't exceed the derated number at your actual ambient; otherwise nuisance tripping or a melted lug is on you, not the breaker.
Physical fit — panel integration
This MCCB measures 105 mm wide, 181 mm tall, and 86 mm deep. It mounts on a DIN rail or panel-mount plate inside a standard industrial enclosure. The 3-pole footprint matches other SENTRON 3VA2 breakers in the same current range, so if you're swapping from a similar frame, the busbar and wire routing should line up without re-drilling. The shunt trip and auxiliary switches add depth behind the panel — account for the 86 mm plus wiring clearance when sizing the enclosure.