Line protection MCCB with a wide thermal-magnetic range
The Siemens SENTRON 3VA1196-4EF32-0AH0 is a 3-pole molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) rated for line protection at a continuous current Iu of 16 A. Its TM240 thermal-magnetic release provides fixed overload and short-circuit protection without the need for external trip units. Breaking capacity is the headline spec here: 121 kA at 240 V AC, 75.6 kA at 415 V AC, 52.5 kA at 440 V AC, and 11.9 kA at 690 V AC. Those numbers mean this MCCB can safely interrupt fault currents up to those levels at the respective voltages — critical for high-fault-capacity installations like transformer secondaries or large motor control centers where available fault current is substantial. Thermal derating is published across the operating range: the breaker holds its full 16 A rating from 40 °C through 50 °C, then begins to step down — 15.36 A at 55 °C, 15.04 A at 60 °C, 14.72 A at 65 °C, and 14.4 A at 70 °C. If your panel ambient runs hot, that derating curve is the one that governs real-world ampacity, not the nameplate 16 A.
Panel fit and auxiliary wiring
Dimensions are 130 mm height, 76.2 mm width, and 70 mm depth — a standard SENTRON 3VA footprint that drops into existing panel layouts without re-drilling. The front face carries an IP40 protection rating, suitable for general-purpose indoor enclosures where tools or fingers are the main concern, not washdown. The auxiliary contact block is factory-configured with 2 auxiliary switches plus 1 trip alarm switch (HQ version). That gives you two form-C contacts for status feedback to a PLC or SCADA, plus a dedicated alarm contact that changes state only on a trip event — useful for differentiating a manual open from a fault.