What it is and what it does
The Siemens 3VA2440-6HL32-0KA0 is a SENTRON molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) rated for 400 A continuous at 40 °C, with a maximum breaking capacity of 4 800 A. At 240 V it interrupts 242 kA; at 415 V and 440 V it handles 187 kA, dropping to 121 kA at 500 V and 9 kA at 690 V. That means it can clear high-fault currents on a 400 A feeder without upstream coordination issues — the SCCR headroom is there for most industrial service-entrance or sub-feed applications. This is a line-protection design (not motor-protection), with a shunt trip release (STL) built in — no undervoltage release, no ground-fault monitoring, no auxiliary switch. The shunt trip lets a remote signal (e.g., E-stop, fire alarm, PLC output) trip the breaker electrically. No communication module on board; it's a standalone device.
Ratings and what they mean for fit
Continuous current holds at 400 A from 40 °C all the way up to 70 °C — no derating needed in a warm enclosure. That's unusual; most MCCBs start to derate above 40 °C. The 3VA2440-6HL32-0KA0 stays flat across the range, so you can size the panel for 400 A and not worry about ambient heat from adjacent drives or transformers. Breaking capacity at 240 V (242 kA) is well above typical utility fault levels; at 415 V (187 kA) it covers most industrial distribution. At 690 V the 9 kA rating is lower — if your system runs 690 V and fault current exceeds 9 kA, this breaker won't clear it. Check the point-of-fault SCCR before specifying.
Panel integration
Dimensions: 248 mm high, 138 mm wide, 110 mm deep. Three-pole, no auxiliary switch, no undervoltage release. The shunt trip requires a control voltage to trip — verify polarity and voltage rating before wiring. Mounts in a standard distribution panel; the 138 mm width fits a 3-pole MCCB cutout.