What the interrupting ratings mean for your panel
The Siemens SENTRON 3VA1180-5EF32-0CH0 is a 3-pole molded case circuit breaker rated 80 A continuous at 40 °C, with a 187 kA interrupting capacity at 240 V — that is the peak fault current it can safely clear at that voltage without welding contacts or rupturing the case. At 415 V it still handles 121 kA, dropping to 75.6 kA at 440 V and 17 kA at 500 V or 690 V. For a panel builder, the 187 kA figure at 240 V means this MCCB can sit at the service entrance on a high-capacity transformer secondary without needing a current-limiting fuse upstream. The 80 A rating holds flat from 40 °C through 50 °C; above that it derates to 78 A at 55 °C and 74 A at 70 °C, so factor the enclosure ambient when sizing.
Line protection design and auxiliary options
This variant is configured for line protection — meaning the thermal-magnetic trip curve is set for feeder or main breaker duty, not motor or generator protection. It ships with an undervoltage release (UVR) installed, so the breaker trips when control voltage drops below a set threshold, and the auxiliary switch block carries 2 auxiliary switches plus 1 trip alarm switch HQ. The insulation voltage is rated 800 V, which covers 480Y/277 V and 600 V class systems with margin. Power loss at full load is 21.7 W — relevant for thermal budgeting in a sealed enclosure.
Panel fit and environmental range
The breaker measures 76.2 mm wide, 130 mm tall, and 70 mm deep — a standard 3-pole MCCB footprint that fits most DIN-rail or backplate layouts. Operating temperature range is -25 °C to 70 °C; storage range is -40 °C to 80 °C. The trip indicator is visible through the front cover, and the undervoltage release is wired to a separate control circuit — verify polarity and voltage rating before energizing.