The Siemens 3VA1196-4EF32-0AC0 is a SENTRON molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) for line protection, rated 16 A continuous current with a TM240 thermal-magnetic release. Its breaking capacity hits 121 kA at 240 V, 75.6 kA at 415 V, 52.5 kA at 440 V, and 11.9 kA at 690 V — so it handles high-fault scenarios across common industrial voltages without cascading upstream. The 800 V rated insulation voltage (Ui) gives headroom for 480/600 V panels. The 3-pole design carries 2 auxiliary switches (HQ type) for status feedback to a PLC or annunciator. No undervoltage release, no ground-fault monitoring, no communication module — this is a straight line-protection MCCB with a TM240 trip unit, adjustable response time up to 1 s.
Thermal derating and panel fit
The 16 A rating holds flat from 40 °C to 50 °C; above that it derates linearly to 14.4 A at 70 °C. If the panel ambient runs hot — say near a drive or transformer — the effective current drops, so size the branch circuit for the derated value, not the nameplate. Dimensions are 130 mm height, 76.2 mm width, 70 mm depth. The 76.2 mm width (3-inch pitch) fits standard MCCB panel cutouts and bus-bar spacing. IP40 on the front means it's protected against solid objects >1 mm but not washdown — keep it inside a dry enclosure.