What this 3VM1 breaker is and what it does
The Siemens 3VM1080-2ED42-0AA0 is a 4-pole circuit breaker from the 3VM1 series, built on an IEC frame 100 platform. It's rated 80 A with a breaking capacity class B — meaning the Icu (ultimate short-circuit breaking capacity) is 16 kA at 415 V AC. That's the number that tells you it can safely interrupt a fault up to that level without the arc re-striking or the breaker failing catastrophically. The internal trip unit is a TM210 — thermal-magnetic, fixed, non-adjustable. The overload protection (Ir) is set at 80 A, and the short-circuit protection (Ii) is fixed at 10 x In, so 800 A. That's a pretty standard ratio for a motor feeder or general distribution branch. No dials to fiddle with, no trip curve to mis-set — it's a fit-and-forget part for a fixed load. It's a 4-pole unit with the N conductor left unprotected (the neutral pole is switched but not monitored). The description flags 'nut keeper kit' included, which is a small detail that saves a headache when you're mounting it on a DIN rail or a backplate — those nuts stay put while you torque the busbars.
Sourcing and lifecycle reality
RoHS compliance dates from June 2012, and the REACH candidate list includes lead (CAS 7439-92-1) above the 0.1% threshold. That's a standard disclosure for electrical components with lead-bearing alloys in the contacts or solder joints — nothing unusual, but it matters if you're shipping into a jurisdiction that enforces REACH Article 33 declarations.
What the ratings mean for your panel
The 16 kA Icu at 415 V tells you the breaker can handle a fault up to that level without welding its contacts or exploding. In a panel with a transformer-fed bus that can deliver, say, a 10 kA prospective fault current, this breaker is fine. If your available fault current is north of 16 kA, you need a higher-rated frame or a current-limiting upstream device. That's the so-what of that number. The 4-pole footprint with the nut keeper kit means it's designed for a standard panel-mount or DIN-rail installation. The packaging dimensions are 150 x 119 x 116 mm — that's the shipping box, not the breaker itself, but it gives you a rough idea of the envelope. For a 100 A frame, it's a compact unit; it won't eat up three or four module spaces the way some older frames do. Export control is AL:N / ECCN:N, so no ITAR or EAR restrictions on shipping this part. That's a straight pass for most international orders — no license paperwork to file.