Product description   
3.3 Configuration 
  3VL IEC molded case circuit breakers 
24  System Manual, 11/2013, 110 0110 - 02 DS 03 
The magnetic release comprises a yoke mounting through which a current path runs, and a 
flap armature that is kept at a distance from the yoke mounting by a tension spring. If a 
short-circuit current now flows along the current path, the magnetic field thus generated 
causes the flap armature to be moved towards the yoke mounting against the opposite force 
of the tension spring. The release time is almost current-independent and instantaneous. 
The flap armature releases the switching lock and thus opens the switching contacts before 
the short-circuit current can reach its maximum; a current limiting effect is thus achieved. 
Immediately after release, the flap armature is moved back to its starting position by the 
opposite force of the tension spring.  
 
Electronic overcurrent trip unit (ETU) 
Electronic trip units (ETUs) 
In contrast to thermal-magnetic releases/trip units (TMTUs) where the overcurrent trip is 
caused by a bimetal strip or magnetic release, electronic trip units (ETUs) use electronics 
with current transformers. The ETU captures the actual currents and compares them with the 
default specifications.  
All 3VL molded case circuit breakers with electronic overcurrent trips measure the actual 
RMS current (true RMS). This is the most accurate method of measuring.  
ETUs are available from the VL160 molded case circuit breaker up to and including the 
VL1600. The VL800, VL1250 and VL1600 molded case circuit breakers are only available in 
the version with electronic trip unit.  
The electronic overcurrent tripping system consists of: 
●  3 to 4 (3-pole or 4-pole) current transformers that also provide their own power supply. 
This means an external auxiliary voltage is not required. 
●  Evaluation electronics with microprocessor 
●  Tripping solenoid 
In all versions with electronic trip units for the 3VL molded case circuit breakers, the current 
transformers are located in the same enclosure as the trip unit. At the output of the electronic 
overcurrent tripping module, there is a tripping solenoid that trips the molded case circuit 
breaker in the event of an overload or short-circuit. In all electronic trip units, the tripping 
solenoid is located within the trip unit, except in the shipbuilding ETUs of sizes VL160 and 
VL250. In these ETUs, the tripping solenoid is located in the left accessories compartment. 
The protection functions of the electronic trip unit are guaranteed without additional auxiliary 
voltage. The overcurrent releases are supplied with energy via internal current transformers. 
The protection function is set via rotary encoding switches on the ETU or via an LCD display.