What it is and what the ratings mean
The SENTRON 3VA2340-5HL42-0AD0 is a 4-pole molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) rated for a continuous current of 400 A. That 400 A holds from 40 °C up to 50 °C ambient — no derating needed in a typical warm panel. At 55 °C it drops to 385 A, at 70 °C to 340 A, so if the enclosure runs hot, you size for the lower number, not the nameplate. Breaking capacity is 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 — that 187 kA at 240 V covers high-fault utility feeds; the 690 V figure is low enough that you verify coordination with the upstream device on a 690 V system.
Panel fit and integration
Footprint is 184 mm wide by 248 mm tall by 110 mm deep. That 184 mm width is the critical dimension for a 4-pole MCCB — it spans four pole cavities plus the mechanism housing. The 110 mm depth means it clears most 200 mm-deep enclosures with room for rear bus bars or a dead-front shield. Mounting is bolt-on or plug-in via the SENTRON base; no DIN-rail clip on this frame size. Verify the cutout pattern against the panel's backplate before drilling — the 3VA family uses a specific bolt-hole template that differs from older 3VL or 3VF footprints.
Auxiliary switch and variant note
This order code ships with three factory-fitted auxiliary switches (HQ design). No undervoltage release, no ground-fault monitoring, no communication function. The base switch variant is 3VA2340-5HL42-0AA0 — the -0AD0 suffix adds the three aux switches. If your application needs shunt trip or ground-fault alarm, you order a different suffix or add a field-installable accessory module.
Environmental limits
Operates from -25 °C to 70 °C ambient; stores from -40 °C to 80 °C. Maximum power loss at rated current is 96 W — that heat has to leave the enclosure, so factor it into the panel thermal budget, especially in a sealed stainless cabinet with no fan.