Service and maintenance 
  11.2 Troubleshooting 
3VL molded-case circuit breakers 
System Manual, 03/2009, 110 0110 - 02 DS 01 
143 
11.2  Troubleshooting 
Notes on troubleshooting 
Table 11- 1  Troubleshooting 
Circuit breaker status  Causes of faults  Corrective action 
The circuit breaker is functioning correctly and switches off an overload 
that occurs. Check to see if the operating current has exceeded the 
thermal tripping limit. 
Excessive current 
Carry out a visual inspection of the terminals. Discoloration indicates 
the terminals are loose. The proper torque values for the terminals are 
listed in the operating manual supplied with every circuit breaker. See 
also the figures in the Chapters Multiple feed-in terminal for round 
cables, and Box terminals 
Connecting cable not 
correctly connected to the 
circuit breaker 
Carry out a visual inspection of the terminals for discoloration. Cables 
can become loose during service due to various reasons such as 
vibration (machine tool applications) and cold flow (for aluminum 
cables) 
Ambient temperature too 
high 
This can be a problem on hot summer days or in areas subject to 
extreme heat. Although all SENTRON VL circuit breakers are 
calibrated for application at an ambient temperature of 50 °C, the 
temperatures in the housings can exceed this level. It may be 
necessary to consider derating the I
n
 or 
IR 
values. See the Chapters 
Use in harsh environments, and Derating factors 
Overload causes 
circuit breaker to trip: 
Overcurrent trip unit not 
correctly connected to the 
circuit breaker. 
If none of the above suggestions apply, the overcurrent trip unit must 
be removed from the circuit breaker and inspected for discoloration. 
The tightening torque values are listed in the operating manual 
supplied with every circuit breaker. 
Excessive making 
current, e.g. motor 
Adjust the magnetic trip rating to the next highest setting or until the 
circuit breaker does not trip when the motor is started. 
Short-circuit causes 
circuit breaker to trip: 
High current peaks, e.g. 
when changing from star 
to delta in star-delta 
starters. 
A current peak of up to 20 times the nominal current of the motor can 
occur when changing from star to delta. In this case, the short-circuit 
release "I" must be set to a higher value. However, this may result in 
the loss of the desired higher motor protection function.