The Siemens SENTRON 3VA2340-5HN32-0HA0 is a 3-pole molded case circuit breaker rated for 400 A continuous current at 40 °C, designed for line protection in distribution panels. Its 187 kA interrupting capacity at 240 V gives it the headroom to serve as a main breaker in high-fault installations, while the 121 kA at 415 V and 75.6 kA at 500 V keep it viable for 400 V class industrial feeds.
Breaking capacity and selectivity
The 187 kA at 240 V is the highest short-circuit rating on this frame — it safely clears faults up to that level without cascading upstream, which is what you need when coordinating a main breaker ahead of downstream feeders. At 690 V the rating drops to 7.5 kA, so this is not a 690 V main breaker for high-fault systems; it belongs on 240 V or 400 V distribution where the available fault current stays within its curve.
Thermal derating and continuous duty
The breaker holds its full 400 A rating up to 50 °C ambient. Above that it derates linearly: 385 A at 55 °C, 370 A at 60 °C, 355 A at 65 °C, and 340 A at 70 °C. If the panel ambient runs above 50 °C, size the continuous load against the derated number, not the nameplate. Maximum power loss is 96 W — that heat stays inside the enclosure, so factor it into the panel thermal budget.
Integrated shunt trip release
This variant ships with a shunt trip (STL) release built in — no auxiliary release module to add. That means a remote trip signal (from an E-stop, fire alarm, or PLC digital output) can open the breaker directly. The auxiliary switch design is listed as 'Without', so there is no separate NO/NC contact for status feedback unless you add one externally.
Panel fit and mounting
The breaker measures 138 mm wide, 248 mm high, and 110 mm deep. It mounts into a standard SENTRON 3VA2340 frame footprint — the same cutout and bus-bar spacing as the base 3VA2340-5HN32-0AA0. The 3-pole block occupies roughly 5.4 inches of DIN-rail width; plan the enclosure depth to clear the 110 mm projection plus wiring space behind the line and load lugs.