The Siemens 3VA2325-7MN32-0BH0 is a SENTRON 3VA molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) in active current production. It's the motor protection variant, rated for a continuous 250 A (Iu) across three poles, and carries an ETU350M electronic overcurrent release. This is the part you spec into a motor branch circuit when you need adjustable thermal-magnetic or electronic protection curves, not just a basic thermal breaker.
Breaking capacity — what the numbers mean for your fault level
This MCCB interrupts 330 kA at 240 V, 242 kA at 415 V and 440 V, 187 kA at 500 V, and 52.5 kA at 690 V. Those are the maximum fault currents it can safely clear at each voltage without welding contacts or rupturing the case. If your panel's available fault current at the line side is 200 kA at 480 V, this breaker handles it; if you're on a 690 V system with 65 kA available, you need a different frame.
Thermal derating — the real-world current limit
Rated 250 A at 40 °C ambient, and it holds that same 250 A through 50 °C. Above 55 °C you start losing headroom: 240 A at 55 °C, 235 A at 60 °C, 230 A at 65 °C, 225 A at 70 °C. If this breaker lives in a hot enclosure next to drives or transformers, plan for the derated figure at your actual ambient — the 250 A nameplate only applies up to 50 °C.
Motor protection features and auxiliary wiring
The motor protection designation means the ETU350M release includes phase failure detection — critical for preventing single-phasing damage on a motor load. It ships with an undervoltage release (UVR) built in, plus two auxiliary switches and a separate trip alarm switch (HQ configuration). That gives you a dedicated signal for remote status and a separate alarm contact for the trip event, so you don't have to steal an auxiliary for the alarm. The basic switch assembly is order code 3VA2325-7MN32-0AA0; the integrated auxiliary trip module is 3VA9608-0BB11 — useful if you're stocking spares at the component level.
Physical fit and panel integration
Dimensions are 248 mm high, 138 mm wide, 110 mm deep. That's a standard 3VA3 frame footprint — it occupies the same mounting hole pattern and bus-bar spacing as other 3VA3 breakers in the 250 A class. If you're replacing a 3VA2225-5HN42-0BB0 or similar 3VA2 frame, check the depth: the 3VA3 is slightly deeper, so verify gland-plate clearance before assuming a drop-in swap.