What this MCCB is and what it does
The Siemens 3VA1180-3EF36-0AE0 is a SENTRON molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) rated for line protection in distribution panels and motor control centers — the 3-pole frame carries 80 A continuous at 40 °C. Breaking capacity hits 75.6 kA at 240 V, 52.5 kA at 415 V, and 32 kA at 440 V; at 690 V it still holds 10.5 kA. That SCCR range means it can sit upstream of a 480 V motor branch or in a 690 V industrial feeder without worrying about cascading faults.
Current ratings and thermal curve
The TM240 thermal-magnetic release holds 80 A from 40 °C through 50 °C; at 55 °C it derates to 76.8 A, then 75.2 A at 60 °C, 73.6 A at 65 °C, and 72 A at 70 °C. For a panel that runs warm — say a sealed enclosure in a foundry or compressor room — the 70 °C rating is the one that governs the load budget, not the 40 °C number. The adjustable response time tr max is 1 s, so you can fine-tune the long-time pickup to ride through inrush on a motor start.
Dimensions and panel fit
The 3VA1180-3EF36-0AE0 measures 130 mm high, 76.2 mm wide, 70 mm deep. That 76.2 mm width is a standard 3-pole MCCB footprint — it drops into the same DIN-rail or screw-mount cutout as earlier SENTRON 3VA frames. IP40 on the front keeps dust out of the nameplate and trip window; the rest of the body is open to the enclosure, so don't use it in a washdown zone without a separate cover.
Auxiliary contacts and releases
This MCCB ships with 4 auxiliary switches HQ — that's the high-quantity variant for signaling breaker status to a PLC or alarm annunciator without adding external relays. No undervoltage release, no voltage trigger, no ground-fault monitoring, and no communication module are fitted on this version. If you need remote trip or earth-leakage, you'll add the separate accessory modules; the frame accepts them. Latching endurance is rated at 15 000 operations — fine for branch protection on a conveyor line or pump starter, but not a switching-duty application.