What this MCCB carries and where it fits
The Siemens 3VA1096-4ED32-0BC0 is a SENTRON molded case circuit breaker rated for 16 A continuous current (Iu) with a TM210 thermal-magnetic overcurrent release — the fixed thermal and magnetic trip settings are set at the factory, no field-adjustable dials. It's a line-protection unit, not a motor-protection or ground-fault version, so it's sized for feeder and distribution circuits where you need a hard 16 A threshold and high interrupting capacity. The 121 kA at 240 V and 75.6 kA at 415 V tell you it can handle high-fault locations like a main distribution panel or a tap feeding a high-capacity busway. The 3-pole frame with undervoltage release (UVR) and two HQ auxiliary switches means it's ready for remote trip signalling and undervoltage lockout out of the box — no add-on modules needed for those functions.
Breaking capacity across voltage levels
This MCCB's interrupting rating drops as system voltage rises — standard for any breaker. At 240 V it clears 121 kA; at 415 V it's still 75.6 kA; at 440 V it's 52.5 kA; at 690 V it's 11.9 kA. For a 16 A frame, those numbers are high — it's not a standard 10 kA or 18 kA branch breaker. If your available fault current at the panelboard is above 50 kA at 480Y/277 V, this part gives you headroom without stepping up to a larger frame. The rated insulation voltage is 800 V (Ui), so it's suitable for 690 V systems where phase-to-phase voltage stays under that ceiling.
Thermal derating and panel temperature
The 3VA1096-4ED32-0BC0 holds its full 16 A rating from 40 °C up to 50 °C ambient. At 55 °C it derates to 15.36 A, at 60 °C to 15.04 A, at 65 °C to 14.72 A, and at 70 °C to 14.4 A. If your panel internal temperature runs above 50 °C — common in a sealed enclosure with multiple breakers — factor that derating into the load calculation. The operating temperature range is -25 °C to 70 °C, storage from -40 °C to 80 °C.
Physical fit and panel integration
The breaker measures 70 mm deep, 76.2 mm wide, 130 mm tall — a standard 3-pole MCCB footprint that fits most DIN-rail or panel-mount enclosures. The IP40 front protection means it's suitable for indoor panel installation where no washdown or dust ingress is expected. The undervoltage release (UVR) is built in; the two HQ auxiliary switches provide remote status feedback without needing an extra accessory slot. No communication module or ground-fault monitoring is fitted — this is a straightforward line-protection breaker with basic signalling.