What this MCCB is and what it does
The Siemens SENTRON 3VA1196-4EF32-0AG0 is a 3-pole molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) rated for 16 A continuous current across ambient temperatures from 40 °C up to 55 °C, derating to 15 A at 60 °C through 70 °C. It carries a TM240 thermal-magnetic overcurrent release — the thermal element handles overloads, the magnetic element handles short-circuits — and is designed for line protection in distribution panels. Breaking capacity is the headline number here: 121 kA at 240 V AC, 75.6 kA at 415 V, 52.5 kA at 440 V, and 11.9 kA at both 500 V and 690 V. That means this breaker can safely interrupt fault currents up to those levels at the respective system voltages — critical for high-fault installations like transformer secondaries or large motor control centers where available fault current can exceed 100 kA. Rated insulation voltage is 800 V, so the breaker is suitable for 690 V line-to-line systems with margin. Power loss at rated current is 10.6 W maximum — a figure to consider when calculating enclosure heat rise in a densely packed panel.
Panel fit and integration
Dimensions are 130 mm height, 76.2 mm width, 70 mm depth — a standard SENTRON 3VA form factor that fits the usual DIN-rail or screw-mount patterns in distribution boards. The breaker ships with one auxiliary switch and one trip alarm switch (HP design) factory-fitted, so you get remote status indication without ordering separate accessories. Operating temperature range is -25 °C to 70 °C; storage range is -40 °C to 80 °C. The trip indicator is present, so a visual check confirms the breaker has tripped on fault rather than being manually switched off.