dv/dt limit and cable length — the real constraint
The VW3A5101 motor choke limits dv/dt to 500 V/µs max at 400 V. That number directly sets the maximum motor cable length you can run without reflections damaging the motor insulation — 75 m shielded or 90 m unshielded for 0.75–4 kW motors at 380–480 V. For 200–240 V drives, you get 150 m shielded, 300 m unshielded. If your run exceeds that, the voltage spikes at the motor terminals will eat the winding varnish over time.
Rated current and thermal budget
Rated 12 A continuous — sized for Altivar drives up to about 4 kW at 480 V. The 150 W thermal losses go into the enclosure; at 12 A and 50 °C ambient, that's 12.5 W per amp of heat you need to vent. Terminal capacity is 10 mm² / AWG 6, torque to 1.5 N·m. The thermal protection switch trips at 125 °C for <250 V AC, <0.5 A — it's a last-ditch overtemp cutout, not a primary protective device.