What the 55 kA @ 415 V Means for Your Panel
The Siemens 3VA2463-5HN42-0AB0 is a 4-pole IEC molded-case circuit breaker in the 3VA2 frame, rated 630 A continuous with an interrupting capacity of 55 kA at 415 V AC — that's the Icu (ultimate breaking capacity) for the 'M' (medium) breaking capacity class. For a sourcing buyer, the 55 kA figure is the one that decides if this breaker clears a fault without upstream devices needing to trip. If your available fault current at the panelboard exceeds that, you need a higher-rated frame or a current-limiting upstream breaker. The ETU350 trip unit gives you LSI protection: long-time (overload) adjustable from 250 A to 630 A, short-time (short-circuit with delay) from 1.5x to 9x Ir, and instantaneous fixed at 9x In.
Integration Notes for the Panel Builder
This breaker mounts on a DIN rail or can be screw-fixed to a backplate — the 3VA2 frame is designed for standard panel integration. The 4-pole configuration covers three-phase plus neutral, with the neutral conductor protection adjustable to OFF, 50%, or 100% of the phase rating. The nut keeper kit is included, which saves time during panel assembly by holding the mounting hardware in place. Two auxiliary switch changeover contacts (form C) are built in, giving you status feedback for the open/closed position without needing an external accessory.
Coordination and Selectivity
The ETU350 electronic trip unit supports adjustable short-time delay (Isd), which is the key to achieving selective coordination downstream. By setting Isd with a deliberate time delay, you can let a downstream breaker clear a fault first, keeping this main breaker closed and the rest of the panel live. The instantaneous pickup (Ii) at 9x In (5,670 A) acts as a backup for high-impedance faults. For a site electrical engineer mapping SCCR headroom, the 55 kA Icu at 415 V gives a solid ceiling for most industrial distribution panels.