What the breaking capacity means for your panel
The 3VA1196-4EF32-0CC0 is a Siemens SENTRON 3-pole molded case circuit breaker 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 at common distribution voltages without cascading upstream. The TM240 release means the thermal element is fixed at 240 A frame rating with a magnetic pickup that coordinates with downstream devices; you size the breaker for the load, not the other way around.
Thermal derating — don't lose margin at elevated ambient
The breaker carries a full 16 A from 40 °C through 50 °C. At 55 °C it derates to 15.36 A, at 60 °C to 15.04 A, at 65 °C to 14.72 A, and at 70 °C to 14.4 A. If your panel runs hot — say near a drive or transformer — factor that curve into the load schedule; the 16 A nameplate is only valid up to 50 °C ambient. Operating range spans -25 °C to 70 °C, storage from -40 °C to 80 °C.
Panel fit and mechanical endurance
Dimensions: 130 mm height, 76.2 mm width, 70 mm depth. That 76.2 mm width is a standard 3-pole MCCB footprint — fits existing SENTRON mounting bases and busbar systems without re-drilling. The breaker is rated for 15 000 mechanical operations, which covers typical panel duty for years. Front protection is IP40, so it's splash-safe in a clean enclosure but not washdown-rated.
Integrated auxiliary and undervoltage release
Comes with 2 auxiliary switches (HQ type) and an undervoltage release (UVR) built in — the UVR trips the breaker if control voltage drops, which is standard for safety circuits or emergency-stop chains. The auxiliary contact order code for replacement is 3VA9608-0BB24. No communication module, no ground-fault monitoring, no phase-failure detection on this variant; it's a straight line-protection MCCB with basic signaling.