16 A SENTRON MCCB with shunt trip — panel-fit specs and thermal limits
The Siemens 3VA1096-3ED32-0KH0 is a 3-pole molded case circuit breaker from the SENTRON line, rated for a continuous current Iu of 16 A. It carries a TM210 thermal-magnetic overcurrent release — the thermal element handles overloads, the magnetic element handles short-circuits — and includes a shunt trip release (STL) for remote tripping. The breaker also ships with two auxiliary switches plus one trip alarm switch (HQ) for status feedback back to a PLC or annunciator panel. Breaking capacity is what decides whether this breaker clears a fault without welding its contacts or blowing apart. At 240 V it interrupts 75.6 kA; at 415 V that drops to 52.5 kA; at 440 V it's 32 kA; at 690 V it's 7.5 kA. For a 16 A frame those are strong numbers — it'll handle high-fault service-entrance or distribution panels, not just downstream subfeeds. Watch the thermal derating if this breaker sits in a warm enclosure. It holds a full 16 A from 40 °C up to 50 °C, then steps down: 15.36 A at 55 °C, 15.04 A at 60 °C, 14.72 A at 65 °C, and 14.4 A at 70 °C. The operating ambient range is -25 °C to 70 °C, storage from -40 °C to 80 °C. If your panel hits 60 °C regularly, you're giving up about an amp.
Mounting and integration — DIN-rail footprint and IP40 front
The 3VA1096-3ED32-0KH0 measures 76.2 mm wide, 130 mm tall, and 70 mm deep — a standard SENTRON 3VA footprint that clips onto DIN rail. Front face carries IP40 protection, meaning it's sealed against tools and wires over 1 mm but not against dust ingress. Rated insulation voltage is 800 V, and the reference code per DIN EN 81346-2 is Q (switching device). The integrated shunt trip release is listed as order code 3VA9688-0BL33 — that's the factory-fit accessory inside this variant. No undervoltage release, no communication module, no ground-fault monitoring on this version. It's a straight line-protection breaker with remote trip capability and auxiliary contacts for status.