Technical specifications 
  6.4 Derating and temperature compensation 
3VA molded case circuit breakers with IEC certificate 
Manual, 03/2019, A5E03603177010-03 
637 
 
Additional correction factors with frequencies other than 50/60 Hz for 3VA1 
molded case circuit breakers 
The temperature rise in the bimetal is greater at frequencies above 50/60 Hz. This is due to 
eddy-current losses and the reduction in the available conductor cross section as a result of 
the skin effect. 
The rated operational current must therefore be reduced from the value used in 50/60 Hz 
applications. 
 
 
 
In an application with 400 Hz, this means the following for the example from chapter 
Derating of 3VA1 molded case circuit breakers (Page 628) with a 3VA1 molded case circuit 
breaker when current I
r
 = 90 A is required: 
●  Setting value I
r(400 Hz)
 = 90 A · 0.9 = 81 A 
Where ambient temperatures differ from the calibration temperature, temperature 
compensation as described in chapter Derating of 3VA1 molded case circuit breakers 
(Page 628) must be performed. 
In addition, a correction factor for setting the magnetic trip unit as a function of frequency 
must be applied.