What this breaker is and where it fits
The Siemens 3VA1196-4EF32-0BA0 is a 3-pole IEC frame 160 molded-case circuit breaker in breaking capacity class S, rated for line protection with a TM240 thermal-magnetic trip unit. Its 16 A continuous rating and 36 kA interrupting capacity at 415 V make it a fit for distribution panels and motor branch circuits where moderate fault currents are expected — think commercial buildings, light industrial lines, and machine-tool power feeds. The built-in undervoltage release (UVR) at 24 V DC lets you drop the breaker on loss of control voltage, which is a common requirement for safety circuits and emergency-stop chains.
What the ratings mean for your panel
The 36 kA Icu at 415 V is the maximum short-circuit current the breaker can safely interrupt once. In an IEC distribution board, you'd check that this exceeds the prospective fault current at the point of installation — if your supply transformer can push 50 kA, you need a higher-class breaker upstream. The TM240 trip unit gives you adjustable overload protection from 11 A to 16 A (Ir), so you can dial it to match the cable or load without swapping the breaker body. Short-circuit pickup Ii is fixed at 10 to 20 times In (160 to 320 A), which is typical for line protection — it clears hard faults fast but rides through motor inrush.
Panel integration notes
The breaker mounts in a standard IEC frame 160 footprint — three-pole, with a nut keeper kit included for secure terminal clamping on busbars or cable lugs. The 24 V DC undervoltage release coil draws power from the control circuit; verify that your 24 V supply can hold the coil energised (typically around 5 W holding) and that the UVR is wired to a normally-closed safety contact that drops the breaker on a trip condition. The TM240 dial is accessible on the front face for adjusting Ir without removing the cover.