400 A MCCB with 242 kA interrupting capacity
The Siemens SENTRON 3VA2340-6JP32-0JH0 is a 3-pole molded case circuit breaker rated for 400 A continuous at 40 °C, sized for main feeder or large motor branch protection in industrial switchboards and panelboards. Its interrupting capacity hits 242 kA at 240 V AC and 187 kA at 415 V, so it handles high-fault utility feeds without cascading upstream — that's the number that decides whether it clears a bolted fault before the transformer breaker. The frame is designed for line protection, not motor-starting duty, so it's the right call for distribution, not individual motor starting. Rated current holds flat at 400 A from 40 °C up to 50 °C, then derates to 375 A at 55 °C and 300 A at 70 °C. If the panel ambient runs above 50 °C, size the breaker for the derated figure — the nameplate 400 A is only good below that threshold.
Built-in accessories and communication
This variant ships with a shunt trip (STL) for remote tripping and two auxiliary switches plus one trip alarm switch (HQ). That's enough aux contacts for a remote status lamp and a PLC digital input, with the alarm contact dedicated to the trip event. The basic switch core is order code 3VA2340-6JP32-0AA0, so the accessories are factory-integrated, not field-added. Communication function is onboard — the exact protocol isn't listed here, but the breaker is ready for a SENTRON communication module to feed power-monitoring data upstream. No undervoltage release or ground-fault monitoring on this version. If you need UVR or GF protection, that's a different suffix. The shunt trip covers emergency-off and remote-trip scenarios; for ground-fault, you'd add an external relay or choose a GF variant.
Physical fit and thermal management
Dimensions are 248 mm high, 138 mm wide, 110 mm deep — a standard 3-pole MCCB footprint for Siemens SENTRON 3VA frames. It mounts on a DIN rail or direct-panel with the supplied hardware. The 96 W maximum power loss at full load means the enclosure needs ventilation or derating if packed tight with other heat sources. Storage range is -40 to 80 °C; operating ambient is -25 to 70 °C.