What this MCCB is and what it does
The Siemens SENTRON 3VA1180-5EF36-0AE0 is a 3-pole molded case circuit breaker rated for 80 A continuous current, built for line protection in distribution panels and motor branch circuits. Its TM240 thermal-magnetic release gives fixed thermal pickup with magnetic trip adjustable up to 240 A — the sort of curve you want for feeder protection where nuisance tripping from inrush isn't acceptable. The interrupting ratings climb to 187 kA at 240 V and 121 kA at 415 V, so it handles high-fault utility feeds without cascading upstream. Four HQ auxiliary switches are integrated, meaning you get status feedback to a PLC or annunciator without adding a separate accessory block.
Thermal derating and ambient limits
This breaker holds its full 80 A rating up to 50 °C ambient. Above that, it derates gradually: 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 — say, a compact enclosure with multiple breakers packed in — size the load so the continuous current stays under the derated value at the actual cabinet temperature. The operating range extends from -25 °C to 70 °C, with storage from -40 °C to 80 °C.
Mounting and panel fit
Dimensions are 130 mm high, 76.2 mm wide, and 70 mm deep. It mounts on a DIN rail or bolts directly to a backplate. The front face carries an IP40 protection rating — fine for a dry indoor panel, but not for washdown zones. The 3-pole footprint is standard for 80 A MCCBs, so it swaps into existing cutouts sized for comparable SENTRON or third-party breakers without panel rework.
What's not included — and why that matters for your BOM
This variant ships without an undervoltage release, without ground-fault monitoring, without phase-failure detection, and without a voltage-trip or communication module. It's a straight thermal-magnetic breaker with four auxiliary switches. If your design requires shunt trip, UVR, or remote monitoring, you'll need a different order code from the 3VA family or add external relays. The TM240 release's adjustable magnetic threshold (tr max 1 s) covers short-circuit protection for most feeder and branch circuits up to 240 A magnetic pickup.