What it is and what it does
The Siemens 3VA1196-4EE42-0AA0-ZD00 is a 4-pole IEC frame 160 molded-case circuit breaker with a 16 A rated current (In) and a 36 kA breaking capacity at 415 V (class S). It provides line protection via a TM220 thermal-magnetic trip unit, with adjustable overload protection (Ir) from 11 A to 16 A and a fixed short-circuit protection (Ii) set at 20 times In. The N conductor is unprotected, and the breaker includes a nut keeper kit for DC Power OEM applications in China.
What the ratings mean for fit
The 36 kA Icu at 415 V means this breaker can safely interrupt fault currents up to that level without welding contacts or failing catastrophically — critical for high-fault-capacity panels downstream of large transformers. The 16 A rating and adjustable overload band (11–16 A) let you match the breaker to a specific load current, while the 20x In instantaneous trip catches hard shorts fast. The unprotected N conductor is a deliberate choice for delta or corner-grounded systems where neutral protection is not required.
Where it is used
This class of IEC-frame breaker is typically installed in distribution panels, motor control centers, and OEM machinery enclosures for branch-circuit protection. The 4-pole configuration suits three-phase systems with a switched neutral, common in European and Asian panel designs. The nut keeper kit and DC Power OEM designation suggest it was specified for a specific Chinese OEM build — verify the mounting and terminal arrangement against your panel's busbar or cable interface.