What this MCCB carries and where it fits
The Siemens 3VA1180-5EF36-0CA0 is a SENTRON molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) rated for line protection — 3-pole, 80 A continuous current at 40 °C, with a TM240 thermal-magnetic release. The TM240 designation means the thermal element is fixed at 80 A and the magnetic short-circuit pickup is adjustable up to 240 A, covering motor and distribution feeder duty in a single frame. Breaking capacity is the headline here: 187 kA at 240 V AC, 121 kA at 415 V, 75.6 kA at 440 V, and 17 kA at 690 V. Those numbers tell you this breaker handles high-fault-current points — main switchboards, transformer secondaries, or large distribution panels where upstream fault current is in the tens of kiloamps. The 690 V rating (17 kA) is useful for 600 V class North American systems or 690 V European industrial grids. Rated insulation voltage is 800 V, so the breaker is designed for 690 V line-to-line systems with margin. Front protection is IP40 — finger-safe from the front but not sealed against dust ingress. Mounts on a DIN rail or panel base; the 76.2 mm width and 130 mm height fit standard SENTRON 3VA1 cutouts.
Thermal derating and ambient temperature
The 80 A rating holds flat from 40 °C to 50 °C. Above that, derating kicks in: 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 the panel ambient runs hot — say, next to a drive cabinet or in a non-ventilated enclosure — the continuous current must be reduced accordingly. Operating range is -25 °C to 70 °C; storage range is -40 °C to 80 °C.
Undervoltage release and auxiliary options
This variant includes an undervoltage release (UVR) as the integrated auxiliary release — part number 3VA9608-0BB24 for the trip unit. The UVR trips the breaker when supply voltage drops below a threshold, which is standard for motor starter circuits where you want a controlled stop on power loss. There are no auxiliary contacts on this variant (no NO/NC position feedback), and no communication function, no phase failure detection, and no ground fault monitoring. If you need remote status or GFCI, you'd look at a different 3VA1 option with those modules. Mechanical endurance is rated at 15,000 operations — typical for a distribution breaker that sees infrequent switching. No trip indicator on the front, so fault type (overload vs short circuit) is not visible without the trip unit diagnostic port.