What this 3VA2340-5JP32-0AF0 is and what it carries
The Siemens SENTRON 3VA2340-5JP32-0AF0 is a 3-pole molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) rated for 400 A continuous current at 40 °C, designed for line protection in distribution panels. It's the communication-enabled variant of the base switch 3VA2340-5JP32-0AA0, adding a communication function for remote monitoring or integration into a higher-level control system. Breaking capacity is the headline here: 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 is a high-interrupting rating — it can clear a massive fault without venting or cascading upstream, which matters when you're coordinating a main breaker in a low-voltage switchboard where available fault current is high.
Thermal derating and real-world current capability
The breaker holds its full 400 A rating from 40 °C up to 50 °C. Above that, it derates linearly: 375 A at 55 °C, 350 A at 60 °C, 325 A at 65 °C, and 300 A at 70 °C. If your panel ambient runs hot — say, a non-air-conditioned enclosure in a steel mill or Middle East installation — you need to account for that 70 °C ceiling where you lose 100 A of headroom. The operating temperature range is -25 °C to +70 °C; storage range is -40 °C to +80 °C.
Physical fit and panel integration
Dimensions: 248 mm height, 138 mm width, 110 mm depth. That's a 3-pole frame in the SENTRON 3VA2 platform — it mounts on a DIN rail or can be screw-fixed to a backplate. The 110 mm depth is shallow enough for a 200 mm deep enclosure with wiring clearance behind. Power loss at rated current is 96 W maximum, so factor that into your thermal budget for the enclosure.
Auxiliary contacts and communication
Factory-fitted with 1 auxiliary switch + 1 trip alarm switch (HQ configuration). No undervoltage release or shunt trip is included — those would be added as external modules if needed. The communication function is onboard, so this breaker can report status and trip events over a bus system without an add-on gateway.