What it is and what it does
The Siemens 3VA1180-4EE42-0AA0 is a SENTRON series 4-pole molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) designed for line protection — primary-side feeder or distribution panel protection, not motor-starting duty. It carries a TM220 thermal-magnetic trip unit, meaning the thermal element handles overloads and the magnetic element handles short-circuits, both factory-set and non-interchangeable in this variant. Rated 80 A continuously at ambient temperatures from 40 °C to 50 °C without derating; above that it steps down to 78 A at 55 °C, 77 A at 60 °C, 75 A at 65 °C, and 74 A at 70 °C. That thermal curve matters if this breaker sits in a crowded, poorly ventilated enclosure — the 80 A nameplate holds only up to 50 °C ambient. Breaking capacity is 121 kA at 240 V AC, dropping to 75.6 kA at 415 V, 52.5 kA at 440 V, and 11.9 kA at both 500 V and 690 V. That 121 kA figure at 240 V is the headline — it handles high available fault current on a 240 V distribution bus without needing a current-limiting fuse upstream. At 690 V the 11.9 kA is modest; verify the available fault current at that voltage level before specifying.
Physical fit and panel integration
Dimensions are 130 mm high, 101.6 mm wide, 70 mm deep — a standard 4-pole MCCB footprint for the SENTRON 3VA frame. The front face carries IP40 protection. Rated insulation voltage is 800 V, which covers 690 V line-to-line systems with margin. The operating temperature range is -25 °C to +70 °C; storage range is -40 °C to +80 °C. Maximum power loss at rated current is 19.2 W — factor that into enclosure thermal calculations if multiple breakers are ganged.