What this MCCB brings to a panel
The Siemens SENTRON 3VA1196-3GD42-0AA0 is a 4-pole molded case circuit breaker rated at 16 A, built around the TM210 thermal-magnetic trip unit — a fixed, non-interchangeable release designed for line protection in distribution panels and feeder circuits. It carries a breaking capacity of 75.6 kA at 240 V, stepping down to 52.5 kA at 415 V and 32 kA at 440 V, which gives you selectivity headroom against downstream branch devices in a 400 V industrial network. The IP40 front protection means it's suited for enclosed panel mounting where the front face is behind a door; it's not intended for washdown or outdoor exposure.
Thermal derating and power dissipation
The 16 A rating holds steady from 40 °C through 55 °C ambient. At 60 °C and 65 °C it derates to 15 A, and at 70 °C it stays at 15 A — so in a hot panel near the top of a cabinet, you lose 1 A of continuous capacity. Maximum power loss is 10.6 W per pole, which matters for thermal coordination inside a densely packed enclosure; that's the heat you need to vent.
Physical fit and panel integration
The 3VA1196-3GD42-0AA0 measures 70 mm deep, 101.6 mm wide, and 130 mm tall. At roughly 4 inches wide and 5.1 inches tall, it occupies a standard MCCB footprint on a DIN rail or mounting plate. No undervoltage release, no shunt trip, no communication module — it's a straight thermal-magnetic breaker for hardwired protection. The 4-pole configuration covers three-phase-plus-neutral or three-phase with a switched neutral, depending on your system design.