What this MCCB is and what it does
The Siemens 3VA2325-5MN32-0HL0 is a SENTRON molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) designed specifically for motor protection. It is a 3-pole unit rated at 250 A continuously across the full ambient temperature range from 40 °C to 70 °C, meaning no derating is needed as the panel warms up — that is a practical advantage in a crowded enclosure. The breaker includes phase failure detection as standard, which trips the circuit if one phase drops out, protecting three-phase motors from single-phasing damage. It also carries a shunt trip release (STL) for remote or emergency-off disconnection, plus a complement of two auxiliary switches, one trip alarm switch, and one electrical alarm switch (HQ configuration) for status feedback to a PLC or annunciator.
Breaking capacity — what the numbers mean for coordination
This MCCB delivers 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. Those are high-interrupting ratings for a 250 A frame, which means the breaker can be applied close to a large transformer or in a high-fault industrial distribution without needing a current-limiting fuse upstream. The 121 kA at 415 V covers most European 400 V industrial networks with headroom to spare. At 690 V the rating drops to 7.5 kA — still adequate for many 690 V motor circuits, but verify the available fault current at that voltage level.
Dimensions and panel fit
The breaker measures 248 mm high, 138 mm wide, and 110 mm deep. That is a standard 3-pole MCCB footprint for the 250 A frame class — it fits the same mounting hole pattern and bus-bar spacing as other SENTRON 3VA2 devices. The 110 mm depth includes the arc chamber and terminals; plan for front-access cabling clearance in the enclosure.
Power loss and auxiliary wiring
Maximum power dissipation is 37.5 W at rated load — factor that into the enclosure thermal budget, especially in a multi-breaker lineup. The auxiliary switch block includes two form-C auxiliary switches, one trip alarm switch, and one electrical alarm switch (HQ), giving plenty of feedback points for remote monitoring. The basic switch core is order code 3VA2325-5MN32-0AA0, which is the internal switching mechanism; the -0HL0 suffix adds the shunt trip and the specific auxiliary configuration.