SIEMENS 3VF Series Motor Starters – 3VF3111-1FS41-0AN1

Technical Dossier

Product Details And Specifications

SIEMENS 3VF Series Technical Notes

The SIEMENS 3VF series represents one of the most widely deployed motor starter and circuit breaker product lines in global heavy industry. Installed across chemical processing plants, oil refineries, nuclear power facilities, and steel mills, the 3VF range has served as a backbone protection and switching solution for three-phase motors from 0.1 kW to over 250 kW. Its robust mechanical design, compliance with IEC 60947-4-1, and compatibility with SIEMENS SIRIUS control infrastructure have made it a default specification in engineering procurement documents across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East for over two decades.

The Evolution of 3VF Architecture

The 3VF series was introduced as a successor to earlier SIEMENS motor protection circuit breaker (MPCB) families, designed to consolidate motor switching and overload protection into a single compact device. Early variants in the 3VF1 and 3VF2 sub-series targeted low-voltage applications up to 630 A, with fixed thermal-magnetic trip units. As industrial automation demands evolved through the 1990s and 2000s, SIEMENS expanded the range with the 3VF3, 3VF4, and 3VF5 sub-series, introducing adjustable trip classes, electronic overload relays, and bus communication accessories compatible with PROFIBUS and AS-Interface.

The architectural shift from purely electromechanical trip mechanisms to hybrid electronic-mechanical designs in the 3VF3 and above sub-series introduced improved repeatability in trip characteristics, reduced nuisance tripping in variable-frequency drive (VFD) applications, and enabled remote diagnostics via SIEMENS SIRIUS ES software. However, this also introduced firmware and hardware interdependencies that complicate cross-generation substitution. Procurement teams must verify frame size, trip class, and accessory slot compatibility before authorizing a replacement order — particularly when sourcing from the secondary market.

3VF Full Catalog & Functionalities (SKU List)

The following SKUs represent the most commonly procured models across the 3VF range, organized by functional category. Each entry reflects verified product classifications within the SIEMENS 3VF architecture.

Motor Starter / MPCB — Core Units

• 3VF3111-1FS41-0AN1: 3-pole motor starter, 11 A frame, Class 10 trip, standard breaking capacity, DIN rail mount
• 3VF3111-1FS41-0AA1: 3-pole MPCB, 11 A, Class 10, screw terminal, without auxiliary contacts
• 3VF2113-1FS41-0AA1: 3-pole, 13 A, 3VF2 frame, thermal-magnetic, fixed trip unit
• 3VF2116-1FS41-0AA1: 3-pole, 16 A, 3VF2 frame, standard breaking capacity, DIN rail
• 3VF2125-1FS41-0AA1: 3-pole, 25 A, 3VF2 frame, thermal-magnetic trip, screw terminals
• 3VF3125-1FS41-0AN1: 3-pole, 25 A, 3VF3 frame, Class 10, enhanced breaking capacity
• 3VF3132-1FS41-0AN1: 3-pole, 32 A, 3VF3 frame, adjustable overload, DIN rail mount
• 3VF3140-1FS41-0AN1: 3-pole, 40 A, 3VF3 frame, Class 10A, motor protection circuit breaker
• 3VF4250-1FS41-0AA1: 3-pole, 50 A, 3VF4 frame, electronic trip unit, screw terminals
• 3VF4263-1FS41-0AA1: 3-pole, 63 A, 3VF4 frame, high breaking capacity, motor protection

Auxiliary Contact & Accessory Modules

• 3VF9211-1AH11: Auxiliary contact block, 1NO+1NC, lateral mount, for 3VF1/3VF2 frame
• 3VF9311-1AH11: Auxiliary contact block, 1NO+1NC, for 3VF3 frame, snap-on fit
• 3VF9411-1AH11: Auxiliary contact block, 1NO+1NC, for 3VF4 frame, DIN rail compatible
• 3VF9000-1AT00: Shunt release accessory, 24 V DC, for remote trip function, 3VF3/3VF4
• 3VF9000-1AU00: Undervoltage release, 110–127 V AC, for 3VF3 and 3VF4 series frames

Communication & Bus Accessories

• 3VF9300-1PB00: PROFIBUS DP communication module, for 3VF3 series, enables remote monitoring

Sourcing Hard-to-Find & Obsolete 3VF Parts

DriveKNMS maintains a dedicated sourcing network for end-of-life SIEMENS components, including the 3VF series. Our procurement process covers:

• Cross-referencing against SIEMENS legacy part databases to confirm exact form-fit-function equivalence
• Inspection of date codes and manufacturing batch records to exclude counterfeit or re-marked units
• Functional testing on dedicated motor protection test benches prior to shipment
• Provision of full export documentation including commercial invoice, packing list, and certificate of origin for customs compliance

Quality Control for the 3VF Range

The 3VF series incorporates complex bimetal trip mechanisms, calibrated magnetic instantaneous releases, and — in higher sub-series — electronic trip units with internal firmware. Each of these subsystems requires targeted verification before a unit can be certified for re-installation in a live industrial environment.

DriveKNMS applies the following test protocol to all 3VF units processed through our facility:

• Insulation resistance test: Measured at 500 V DC between poles and between poles and frame, minimum 1 MΩ acceptance threshold
• Contact resistance measurement: Milliohm-level measurement across main contacts to detect erosion or welding damage
• Overload trip verification: Current injection at 1.05× and 1.2× rated current to confirm trip class compliance per IEC 60947-4-1
• Instantaneous trip test: High-current pulse injection to verify magnetic release calibration
• Mechanical operation count: Cycle count verification against rated mechanical endurance
• Auxiliary contact continuity: Verified under simulated load conditions for all fitted accessory blocks

For RFQ submissions, technical cross-reference queries, or bulk procurement inquiries on the SIEMENS 3VF series: