What this 3VA2 MCCB delivers for the panel
The Siemens SENTRON 3VA2440-5HL32-0JC0 is a 3-pole molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) rated for line protection — meaning it sits at the feeder or main distribution point, not downstream on a motor or branch circuit. Its continuous current rating holds at 400 A across the full ambient range from 40 °C through 70 °C, so no derating curve to chase when the panel runs warm. Breaking capacity is 187 kA at 240 VAC, 121 kA at 415 V and 440 V, 75.6 kA at 500 V, and 9 kA at 690 V. That 187 kA figure at 240 V is the headline — it handles high available fault current on a low-voltage distribution transformer secondary without needing a current-limiting fuse upstream. The adjustable thermal-magnetic trip unit is set at the factory with a minimum of 600 A and maximum of 4 800 A, giving selectivity headroom for downstream breakers. Per the datasheet, the basic switch core is order code 3VA2440-5HL32-0AA0.
Auxiliaries and releases built in
This variant ships with a shunt trip (STL) release and two HQ auxiliary switches factory-installed. The shunt trip allows remote tripping from a PLC safety output or E-stop circuit; the auxiliary switches provide status feedback — open/closed indication to the control system or a remote annunciator panel. No undervoltage release or ground-fault monitoring module is included on this order code. If UVR or GF protection is required, that is a different factory variant — the 3VA2 platform supports those, but this specific code omits them.
Physical fit and environment
Dimensions are 248 mm height, 138 mm width, 110 mm depth. That depth is the critical dimension for enclosure selection — a standard 200 mm deep gland plate leaves roughly 90 mm for rear cable bending radius. The width is a 3-pole frame; a 4-pole version would be wider. Operating temperature range is -25 °C to 70 °C; storage range is -40 °C to 80 °C. Maximum power loss at rated current is 63.5 W — relevant for thermal rise calculations in a sealed enclosure.