The Siemens SENTRON 3VA1180-6EF36-0BA0 is a 3-pole molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) rated for 80 A continuous current (Iu) with a line protection profile — meaning it's set up for overcurrent and short-circuit protection on distribution feeders, not motor starting duty. The TM240 thermal-magnetic release handles the overload curve, and the integrated undervoltage release (UVR) trips the breaker if control power drops, which is a common requirement for safety circuits or emergency-stop chains where loss of control voltage must open the main feeder. What sets this MCCB apart is the interrupting capacity: 220 kA at 240 V, 154 kA at 415 V, 121 kA at 440 V, and still 17 kA at 690 V. That 220 kA figure at 240 V is high — it's sized for large transformer secondaries or high-fault industrial services where standard 65 kA or 100 kA breakers would need upstream fusing or series-rated coordination. The 800 V rated insulation voltage (Ui) confirms it's rated for 690 V line-to-line systems without derating the insulation path.
Thermal derating and ambient limits
The breaker holds its full 80 A rating from 40 °C up to 50 °C — a solid thermal margin for most panel interiors. At 55 °C it derates to 76.8 A, at 60 °C to 75.2 A, and at 70 °C to 72 A. If your panel runs hot (say, a non-ventilated enclosure in a boiler room), you lose about 10 % of the continuous rating at the top end. The operating ambient range is -25 °C to 70 °C, with storage from -40 °C to 80 °C.
Panel fit and dimensions
The 3VA1180-6EF36-0BA0 measures 130 mm high, 76.2 mm wide, and 70 mm deep. That 70 mm depth is shallow for an 80 A MCCB with this fault rating — it fits into compact distribution panels or retrofit cutouts where depth is tight. The IP40 front protection means it's protected against tools and wires >1 mm, but not sealed against dust ingress; it belongs inside a panel, not in a washdown zone.
The mechanical endurance is rated at 15 000 operations — that's typical for a distribution MCCB; it's not a switching device for frequent motor starts. The reference code per DIN EN 81346-2 is Q, which designates it as a switching device in a power circuit.