Siemens SENTRON 3VA1180-4EF36-0AH0 — 80 A MCCB, TM240 Release
The Siemens SENTRON 3VA1180-4EF36-0AH0 is a 3-pole molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) rated for a continuous current of 80 A at 40 °C, with a thermal-magnetic TM240 overcurrent release. It's a line-protection device — meaning it's built for feeder and main distribution panels where you need fixed, non-adjustable overload and short-circuit protection, not motor or generator duty. Breaking capacity is the headline here: 121 kA at 240 V AC, 75.6 kA at 415 V, 52.5 kA at 440 V, and still 11.9 kA at 690 V. That's high-interrupting capability for a compact 80 A frame — it handles fault currents that would vaporize a standard MCB. The TM240 release means the thermal element is fixed (not adjustable), so the overload curve is set at the factory; you're not tuning it in the field. The auxiliary contact version includes 2 auxiliary switches plus 1 trip alarm switch (HQ type), which gives you remote status indication — useful for a PLC input or a panel HMI showing the breaker state. No undervoltage release, no phase-failure detection, no communication module on this variant. It's a straight-up thermal-magnetic breaker with basic aux contacts.
Integration & Mounting
Dimensions: 70 mm deep, 76.2 mm wide, 130 mm tall. That's a standard 3-pole MCCB footprint — mounts on a DIN rail or panel-mount plate in a distribution board. The front face carries IP40 protection, so it's suitable for dry indoor panels; no washdown rating, keep it inside the enclosure. Operating temperature range is -25 °C to 70 °C, storage from -40 °C to 80 °C. Note the current derating above 55 °C: it holds 80 A flat up to 50 °C, then drops to 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, factor that in — you lose about 10 % of the rated current at the top end. Latching endurance is rated at 15,000 operations.
How This Sits Against a Sibling
The closest functional sibling in the 3VA family is the 3VA1110-5EE32-0JA0. That unit is also a 3-pole MCCB but with a different release and current rating — typically a lower amperage frame. The key difference: the 3VA1180-4EF36-0AH0 carries the TM240 release (fixed thermal-magnetic) and the higher 80 A rating, while the 3VA1110 variant uses a different trip curve and lower continuous current. If your BOM specifies 80 A with TM240, the 3VA1110 won't drop in without re-evaluating the protection coordination. Stick with this order code unless you're willing to redo the selectivity study.