What it is and what the ratings mean
The Siemens SENTRON 3VA1080-4ED36-0JA0 is a 3-pole molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) rated for line protection — the primary role is protecting cables and busbars from overloads and short circuits in a distribution panel. The headline interrupting ratings tell you where it can be placed in a fault-current hierarchy: 121 kA at 240 V means it safely clears a fault at that level without welding its contacts or rupturing the case, which is the kind of figure you need on the main breaker of a large low-voltage switchboard. At 415 V it still handles 75.6 kA, and at 690 V it drops to 11.9 kA — the lower voltage networks are where this breaker earns its keep. The continuous current rating is 80 A, and it holds that rating from 40 °C through 50 °C ambient — no derating needed in a typical ventilated enclosure. Above 55 °C it begins to taper: 76.8 A at 55 °C, 75.2 A at 60 °C, 73.6 A at 65 °C, and 72 A at 70 °C. If your panel runs hot, the 80 A frame still gives you headroom, but you size the load at the derated figure, not the nameplate.
Overcurrent release and auxiliary options
The overcurrent release is the TM210 — a thermal-magnetic design, meaning the thermal bimetal handles overloads (slow trip) and the magnetic coil handles short circuits (instantaneous). No electronic adjustment, no communication module, no phase-failure detection. This is a straightforward, field-reliable breaker for fixed-load feeders where you don't need remote monitoring or adjustable trip curves. It ships with a shunt trip (STL) release for remote tripping — the auxiliary release design is listed as shunt trip (STL), and the integrated auxiliary trip order code is 3VA9688-0BL32. No undervoltage release, no auxiliary contacts, no ground-fault monitoring. The IP40 protection on the front means it's suitable for dry indoor panels; not for washdown or outdoor exposure.
Physical fit and panel integration
The dimensions are 130 mm height, 76.2 mm width, 70 mm depth. That 70 mm depth is the key number for enclosure depth — it fits a standard 200 mm deep panel with room for wiring gutters. The 76.2 mm width is a 3-pole frame; it occupies three 25.4 mm (1-inch) module positions on a DIN rail, which is the standard footprint for SENTRON 3VA breakers. No trip indicator on the front, so fault indication is by breaker position only.
Selectivity and coordination note
With 121 kA at 240 V and 75.6 kA at 415 V, this breaker can serve as a main or a large feeder in a selective coordination study. The high interrupting capacity means it can be placed upstream of lower-rated breakers, provided the let-through energy is coordinated. The TM210 release gives a fixed magnetic pickup; for full selectivity curves, consult the Siemens selectivity tables for the 3VA series. The rated insulation voltage is 800 V, so it's rated for 690 V networks without derating the insulation.