Siemens 3VA2340-6KP32-0HC0 — 400 A MCCB with 242 kA interrupting capacity
The Siemens SENTRON 3VA2340-6KP32-0HC0 is a 3-pole molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) rated for line-protection duty, carrying a continuous current of 400 A at 40 °C with an adjustable thermal-magnetic trip range from 80 A to 640 A. Its interrupting capacity reaches 242 kA at 240 V AC, dropping to 187 kA at 415 V and 440 V, 121 kA at 500 V, and 7.5 kA at 690 V — figures that define the available fault-current headroom for panel coordination studies. The 400 A rating holds across 40 °C to 50 °C ambient; above that the thermal derating curve applies: 375 A at 55 °C, 350 A at 60 °C, 325 A at 65 °C, and 300 A at 70 °C. For a panel builder, that means the breaker can be loaded to its nameplate in a ventilated enclosure up to 50 °C, but above that the fill factor must account for the reduced ampacity. Physical footprint: 138 mm wide, 248 mm tall, 110 mm deep — a standard 3-pole MCCB form factor that fits SENTRON mounting bases and busbar systems. The unit ships with a shunt trip (STL) auxiliary release and two HQ auxiliary switches, plus a communication function for remote status monitoring.
Sourcing and lifecycle
The basic switch variant underlying this order code is 3VA2340-6KP32-0AA0, which means the breaker frame, trip unit, and internal mechanism are shared across the 3VA2 line. If a BOM freeze requires a second-source gate, the closest functional peer is the 3VA2116-5JP32-0AE0 — same SENTRON 3VA2 platform, same 3-pole form factor, but a lower continuous rating (160 A frame vs 400 A frame). The 3VA2340-6KP32-0HC0 will not drop into a panel wired for the 160 A frame without busbar and lug changes; the mounting footprint is identical, but the lug size and busbar spacing differ.
Integration notes
Mounts on a standard DIN rail or SENTRON mounting plate. The 110 mm depth leaves clearance for rear-connected busbars and cable exits — verify gland-plate depth if the panel is shallow. The shunt trip (STL) auxiliary release allows remote tripping from a safety circuit or emergency-stop chain; the two HQ auxiliary switches provide status feedback to a PLC or SCADA input card. Rated insulation voltage is 800 V, so the breaker is suitable for 480/277 V and 600 V distribution panels common in North American industrial plants. The communication function supports integration into a higher-level energy management or monitoring system — no separate gateway module required for basic status.