What the ratings mean for fit
The Siemens SENTRON 3VA2340-5HL32-0DL0 is a 3-pole molded case circuit breaker rated for 400 A continuous current at 40 °C, holding that rating flat through 50 °C before derating begins — 385 A at 55 °C, 370 A at 60 °C, 355 A at 65 °C, 340 A at 70 °C. That temperature profile matters: in a crowded panel with adjacent breakers, the 400 A frame stays at full rating up to 50 °C ambient; above that, the thermal curve governs the real ampacity. Interrupting capacity is the headline: 187 kA at 240 V, 121 kA at 415 V and 440 V, 75.6 kA at 500 V, 7.5 kA at 690 V. That 187 kA at 240 V means this breaker clears faults on high-capacity transformer secondaries or busway taps without cascading upstream — a common spec for large commercial mains or industrial distribution switchboards. The breaker ships with an undervoltage release (UVR) and a switch configuration of 2 auxiliary switches + 1 trip alarm switch + 1 electrical alarm switch HQ. The UVR trips the breaker when control voltage drops below a threshold — standard for emergency-off circuits or undervoltage protection on motor feeders.
Panel fit and integration
Dimensions: 248 mm high, 138 mm wide, 110 mm deep. That 138 mm width on a 3-pole 400 A frame is standard for SENTRON 3VA2 breakers — it occupies three 45 mm pole spaces on the DIN rail or mounting plate. The 110 mm depth leaves clearance for rear-mounted busbars or cable lugs in a typical 600 mm deep enclosure. The basic switch assembly is order code 3VA2340-5HL32-0AA0, meaning the breaker body and trip unit are a matched set — not field-interchangeable with other 3VA2 frames. The trip indicator gives a visual flag after a fault event, which speeds troubleshooting on a multi-breaker lineup.
Lifecycle and sourcing posture
Power loss is 98.5 W maximum at rated current — factor that into panel cooling calculations if the breaker is enclosed with other heat sources. Storage range is -40 °C to 80 °C; operating range -25 °C to 70 °C.