What this MCCB carries and where it fits
The Siemens SENTRON 3VA1180-6EF36-0KC0 is a 3-pole molded case circuit breaker rated for 80 A continuous current (Iu) with a TM240 thermal-magnetic release. Its interrupting capacity hits 220 kA at 240 V, 154 kA at 415 V, and 121 kA at 440 V — numbers that place it squarely in high-fault-duty distribution, not branch-circuit light duty. At 690 V it still clears 17 kA, so it handles the step-down transformer secondary in a 690 V industrial grid without cascading upstream. The TM240 release means the thermal element is fixed at 80 A; the magnetic pickup is adjustable. There is no undervoltage release, no ground-fault module, and no communication stack — this is a straightforward line-protection breaker for a panel where the trip curve and the shunt trip (STL) are the only controls needed. The two auxiliary switches (HQ type) provide status feedback to a PLC or annunciator. It measures 130 mm high, 76.2 mm wide, and 70 mm deep — a compact footprint for a breaker that clears 220 kA. The front face carries IP40 protection, so it is suited for enclosure interiors where tools or fingers might contact the front but not for washdown zones.
Thermal derating — the real continuous current
The 80 A rating holds flat from 40 °C through 50 °C. At 55 °C it derates to 76.8 A, at 60 °C to 75.2 A, at 65 °C to 73.6 A, and at 70 °C to 72 A. If the panel ambient runs above 50 °C, the actual load must be sized against the derated value, not the nameplate 80 A. The operating range spans -25 °C to 70 °C; storage from -40 °C to 80 °C.
Panel integration notes
The 76.2 mm width fits standard MCCB mounting footprints in distribution panels. Depth of 70 mm leaves clearance for rear-connected bus bars or cable lugs.