Molded case circuit breaker for motor protection
The Siemens SENTRON 3VA2325-5MN32-0HF0 is a 3-pole molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) designed specifically for motor protection, with a continuous current rating of 250 A across the full ambient temperature range from 40 °C to 70 °C without derating. Its interrupting capacity reaches 187 kA at 240 V AC, 121 kA at 415 V and 440 V, 75.6 kA at 500 V, and 7.5 kA at 690 V — covering high-fault industrial service entrances and motor control center feeders. The breaker includes a shunt trip release (STL) for remote tripping, one auxiliary switch plus one trip alarm switch, a trip indicator, and phase failure detection — all built in, no external modules needed.
Integration and mounting
Dimensions are 248 mm high, 138 mm wide, and 110 mm deep — fits standard panel cutouts for 250 A frame SENTRON MCCBs; the 3-pole footprint matches existing busbar and lug layouts. Maximum power loss is 37.5 W, so ventilation in the enclosure should account for that dissipation at full load. Operating temperature range is -25 °C to 70 °C; storage from -40 °C to 80 °C — suitable for unconditioned plant-floor environments.
Key ratings and what they mean
Rated 250 A continuous without derating up to 70 °C — that flat thermal curve means you don't have to oversize for elevated ambient temperatures in a motor control center. The 187 kA breaking capacity at 240 V is the highest short-circuit current this breaker can safely interrupt; at 690 V it drops to 7.5 kA, so verify the available fault current at your service voltage. Phase failure detection and a trip indicator are integrated — the breaker will trip on loss of phase and show a visual flag, which simplifies troubleshooting on motor feeders.