What it is and what the ratings mean for fit
The Siemens SENTRON 3VA1180-6EF32-0HC0 is a 3-pole molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) rated for line protection, with a continuous current Iu of 80 A at 40 °C and an insulation voltage Ui of 800 V. The TM240 thermal-magnetic overcurrent release handles overload and short-circuit protection without electronic communication or ground-fault monitoring — a straightforward, standalone protective device for distribution panels. Breaking capacity is the headline: 220 kA at 240 V, 154 kA at 415 V, 121 kA at 440 V, and 17 kA at 690 V. At 415 V, that 154 kA SCCR means this MCCB can safely interrupt a fault current up to that level without upstream damage — critical for high-fault installations like transformer secondaries or large motor control centers. The 17 kA at 690 V still covers most industrial 690 V distribution. Thermal derating is minimal up to 50 °C (still 80 A), then steps down to 76.8 A at 55 °C and 72 A at 70 °C. For a panel running warm — say 55 °C ambient — you lose about 3.2 A of headroom; plan the load accordingly.
Lifecycle and sourcing reality
The part carries a shunt trip (STL) auxiliary release as standard, with a specified accessory order code 3VA9688-0BL30 for the integrated auxiliary trip. Two auxiliary switches (HQ type) are built in. No undervoltage release or communication module is fitted — this is a basic trip unit for simple remote shutdown via the shunt coil.
Deployment context
Mounts on a DIN rail or directly in a panel — the 76.2 mm width (about 3 inches) and 70 mm depth fit standard distribution board cutouts. IP40 on the front means it's protected against solid objects over 1 mm but not against water ingress; install in a dry indoor enclosure. The 3VA series is the SENTRON MCCB family, positioned as a compact, high-performance line for commercial and industrial power distribution. This variant is a line-protection device — no phase-failure detection, no ground-fault monitoring — so it's a pure overcurrent protector for feeders or branch circuits.