16 A thermal-magnetic MCCB for distribution panels
The Schneider Electric G12T3A16 is a GoPact MCCB 125 molded case circuit breaker with a 16 A TM-D thermal-magnetic trip unit, rated for distribution duty. The 16 A rating at 40 °C sets the continuous current it can carry without tripping in a 40 °C ambient — above that, the thermal element starts tracking the I²t curve for overload protection. The magnetic (instantaneous) element handles short-circuit faults, with a breaking capacity of 10 kA at 380/415 V AC, meaning it can safely interrupt a fault current up to that level without welding contacts or cascading failure upstream. That 10 kA figure is the T performance level per IEC 60947-2, adequate for most secondary distribution panels fed by a transformer of typical impedance.
Three poles, all protected (3D configuration), so it switches and protects all three phases in a 415 V AC 50/60 Hz system.
Durability and thermal budget
Mechanical endurance is rated at 30,000 cycles; electrical endurance at 8,000 cycles at rated current and voltage. That electrical figure matters for frequent switching applications — if this breaker sees daily load-break duty, plan for replacement before the mechanical life is exhausted. Power dissipation is 18.7 W per pole, so at full load the three poles together dump about 56 W into the enclosure — account for that in your thermal calculation if the panel is densely packed. Ambient operating range is -20 to 55 °C; storage from -35 to 85 °C. Operation above 2,000 m altitude requires derating per IEC 60947-2.