What it is and what it does
The Siemens 3VA1180-6EF36-0AG0 is a SENTRON molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) designed for line protection in industrial distribution panels. It carries a rated current of 80 A at 40 °C and delivers a breaking capacity of 154 kA at 415 V — enough to interrupt high-fault currents without cascading upstream, critical for selectivity in a multi-breaker lineup. The TM240 overcurrent release provides thermal-magnetic protection: the thermal element handles overloads, the magnetic element clears short-circuits. The 3-pole construction suits three-phase loads like motor feeders, lighting distribution, or sub-panel mains. An integrated auxiliary switch and trip alarm switch (1 AUX + 1 HP) give remote status indication — useful for PLC-based monitoring or alarm annunciation in automated lines.
Breaking capacity across voltage levels
Breaking capacity drops with system voltage: 220 kA at 240 V, 154 kA at 415 V, 121 kA at 440 V, and 17 kA at both 500 V and 690 V. At 690 V the 17 kA figure is the limiting factor — confirm the available fault current at that voltage before specifying.
Thermal derating and operating range
Rated current holds at 80 A from 40 °C through 50 °C, then derates linearly to 74 A at 70 °C. Operating ambient range is -25 °C to 70 °C; storage range is -40 °C to 80 °C. Maximum power loss is 19.2 W — factor that into enclosure thermal calculations.