What the ratings mean for your BOM line
The Siemens 3VA2225-8JP42-0AA0 is a 4-pole SENTRON molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) configured for line protection, carrying a rated continuous current Iu of 250 A at 40 °C. That 250 A holds flat through 50 °C — no derating needed in a warm panel — then drops to 238 A at 55 °C and 200 A at 70 °C, so the thermal curve is predictable for a crowded enclosure. Breaking capacity is the headline: 440 kA at 240 V, 330 kA at 415 V and 440 V, 220 kA at 500 V, and 53 kA at 690 V. That 440 kA figure at 240 V means it handles very high available fault current — typical for large transformer secondaries or industrial mains — without cascading upstream. The 53 kA at 690 V still covers most 600 V class industrial feeds. Fitted with the ETU550 electronic trip unit, which offers adjustable response times from 0.5 s to 15 s on the tr parameter, and adjustable N-conductor protection (OFF, 20 % to 100 %). This is a communicating breaker — the Communication Function flag is set — so it integrates with plant monitoring systems for load shedding or fault logging.
Panel fit and integration
Dimensions are 181 mm high, 140 mm wide, 86 mm deep — a standard 4-pole MCCB footprint. The 86 mm depth is the critical dimension for shallow gland-plate clearance or tight back-of-panel spacing. IP40 on the front means it's splash-protected from the operator side but not sealed for washdown; mount it in a dry enclosure. Operating temperature range is -40 °C to 70 °C, storage from -40 °C to 80 °C. Maximum power loss is 48 W — factor that into your enclosure thermal budget if you're stacking several breakers in a confined panel.