The Siemens SENTRON 3VA2440-5HL32-0AE0 is a 3-pole molded case circuit breaker rated for a continuous current Iu of 400 A, with an interrupting capacity of 187 kA at 240 V AC — enough to handle high-fault utility feeds or transformer secondaries without cascading upstream. The electronic trip unit ETU320 provides adjustable long-time, short-time, and instantaneous protection curves, so you can shape selectivity with downstream breakers. Four HQ auxiliary switches (two form-C) are built in, giving the PLC or safety relay a direct status read without adding an external aux block. The 138 mm width and 110 mm depth fit standard MCCB mounting patterns in distribution panels; the 248 mm height leaves room for lug access above the line terminals.
Thermal derating — what the 400 A rating really means at panel ambient
At 55 °C it derates to 384 A, at 60 °C to 376 A, at 65 °C to 368 A, and at 70 °C to 360 A. That matters for a BOM line sized at 400 A: a 360 A effective rating at 70 °C may force a larger frame if the load is continuous.
Interrupting capacity across system voltages
This MCCB's interrupting capacity scales with system voltage: 187 kA at 240 V, 121 kA at 415 V and at 440 V, 75.6 kA at 500 V, and 17 kA at 690 V. At the common 480 V class (which sits between the 440 V and 500 V ratings), expect performance near the 121 kA figure. That gives ample headroom for most industrial services — a typical 480 V transformer secondary with 5-6% impedance delivers fault current around 20-40 kA.