Product description 
  3.3 Configuration 
3VL molded-case circuit breakers 
System Manual, 03/2009, 110 0110 - 02 DS 01 
21 
The magnetic trip unit  
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.  
3.3.4  Electronic overcurrent trip unit (ETU) 
Electronic trip units (ETU) 
In contrast to thermomagnetic trip units (TMTUs) where the overcurrent trip is unit caused by 
a bimetal strip or magnetic release, electronic overcurrent trip units (ETUs) use electronics 
with current transformers. The ETU captures the actual currents and compares them with the 
default specifications.  
All SENTRON 3VL circuit breakers with electronic overcurrent trips measure the actual 
effective current (true RMS). This is the most accurate method of measuring.  
ETUs are available from the VL160 circuit breaker up to and including the VL1600. The 
SENTRON VL800, VL1250 und VL1600 circuit breakers are only available in the version 
with electronic overcurrent trip unit.  
The trip units can be replaced by the customer without special tools. Replacement is 
described precisely in the operating instructions included with the ETUs. After installing the 
electronic overcurrent trip unit in the relevant circuit breaker, the battery supply must be 
tested with test function 3VL9000-8AP00. 
Configuration 
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 SENTRON 3VL circuit breakers, the current 
transformers are located in the same housing as the trip unit. At the output of the electronic 
overcurrent tripping module, there is a tripping solenoid that releases the circuit breaker in 
the event of an overload or short-circuit.