What this breaker is and what the ratings mean for fit
The Siemens 3VA1096-3ED42-0AA0-ZD00 is a 4-pole IEC frame 100 molded case circuit breaker from the 3VA1 series, built for line protection with a fixed thermal-magnetic trip unit (TM210, FTFM). The 25 kA breaking capacity at 415 V (class N) means it can safely interrupt fault currents up to that level on a 400 V three-phase system without the arc flashing over or the breaker failing — critical for panel SCCR compliance under IEC 60947-2. The 16 A continuous rating (Ir=16 A fixed) and instantaneous trip set at 20 x In (320 A) make this a straight feeder or distribution breaker, not an adjustable motor-protection device.
Deployment context and panel integration
This breaker mounts in a standard IEC panel on a DIN rail or screw-fixed baseplate. The N conductor is unprotected (solid neutral, no integral overcurrent protection), which is typical for TN-S or TN-C-S systems where the neutral is bonded at the source. The nut keeper kit is included for DC Power OEM builds in China — that kit secures the line/load lugs on the busbars, a detail that matters if you're populating a pre-drilled DC distribution board. For a 4-pole breaker at 16 A, expect the line and load terminals to accept up to 25 mm² conductor.